By TONY HOSS
The question this week comes from a reader of the weekly articles and he asks, “How important is God’s word in the scheme of mankind’s redemption?”
I so greatly appreciate this question and the reader’s desire to learn more about the truths that are found within the Word of God. To help us understand the importance of the God’s Word, perhaps we should consider the exchange that took place between Jesus, the Son of God and Satan in Matthew 4.
We learn in Matthew 4:3-4, And when the tempter (Satan) came to him, he said, “If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread.” But he (Jesus) answered and said, “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
In the text, Jesus shows the importance of the Word of God when He refers Satan to God’s Word. In the text Jesus shows that the Word of God is preferred of the physical bread each man needs to survive. But what is it that makes Hod’s Word more sufficient than physical bread? Consider the following things concerning the Word of God.
According to Jesus, God’s Word is truth. Jesus said, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). Sanctification is the process of purification in which the sins of men are cleansed. This cleansing process is needed if we hope to live in eternity in the presence of God. The sanctification process is a continuing action that occurs throughout the life of the men and women who put on Christ (Galatians 3:26-27). As one lives the Christian life reading and learning of God, they draw closer to God (James 4:7-8) and further away from the sinful things of the world.
God reminds us that His Word is as a fire and a hammer. God said, “Is not my word like as a fire … and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces”? (Jeremiah 23:29 KJV). We know that fire is used in the purification process of precious metals and so the Word of God can purify the lives of men if we allow it to dwell in our hearts. If we put God’s word in our hearts, like a hammer can crush a rock, it has the power and ability to destroy the evil that so strongly desires to reside within each of us.
God’s Word also can comfort us in our times of distress. In (John 14 & 16), just prior to the ascension of Jesus, He offers comfort to His disciples by reminding them that the Holy spirit would come to them. The written word of God is proof that he inspired those men who wrote the different books. And those books contain much comfort and gives man a peace of mind. This peace of mind comes when we learn that Jesus died for us and that we can have forgiveness from sin and promises us a home in heaven with God eternally.
God’s Word also brings salvation Titus 2:12, sets us free from sin John 8:32, purifies our souls 1 Pet. 1:22 and is able to make us God’s people in an acceptable way 2 Timothy 3:16-17.
If Jesus had turned the stones into physical bread He would have rejected word of God and accepted word of Satan. We should strive daily to live by “every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” Bread on the table satisfies for a little while. God’s truth satisfies forever.
What will we do in the face of evil? Will we take a stand or will we walk away?
(Tony Hoss is minister at the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton. He can be contacted at 423-737-2287 or by e-mail: tmagho1@comcast.net).