Bible Ballistics: BBs #181 Naked And Bare Or Bold???
“For the word of God is
quick, (living)
and powerful,
and sharper than any twoedged sword,
piercing
even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit,
and of the joints and marrow,
and is a discerner
of the thoughts
and intents of the heart.
13 Neither is there any creature
that is not manifest in his sight:
but all things are naked and opened
unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
Hebrews 4:12-13
There is a standard, and it is God’s standard—His written Word to us, and His Word, the Son. The author of Hebrews declares that the “Word of God” is alive and powerful! And it is powerful for ordering our lives:
“Order my steps in thy word: and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.” Psalm 119:133
“The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way.” Psalm 37:23
But it will only “order” our steps when and if we make the time to read and study it, and draw strength, wisdom and grace from its pages.
Yet, we sometimes miss the fact that the “Word of God” will be the standard by which we are judged—and yes we will all face the judgment of God, and the “Word” will be the standard, not only the written “Word of God”, but also the living “Word of God”—JESUS!!!
“In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made
that was made.” John 1:1-3
Jesus, the WORD, will judge all. He will judge believers at the judgment seat of Christ (see Ro. 14:10 & 1 Cor. 3:10-15), and the lost before the Great White Throne Judgment (See Rev. 20:11-15)! God’s Word will be the standard—and all will give an account for what we have done with it.
While on vacation recently, we found ourselves at the beach and we were appalled at the ‘lack’ of apparel that most people were ‘not’ wearing. We live in a culture of ‘exposure’ and I saw more bosoms, bellies, and buttocks than I had any desire to see. And sadly it wasn’t just the young, but most everyone who ventured out in public there, were at the least, immodest and at the worst ‘barely’ clad (pun intended)! Why is our culture so ready to expose themselves completely before the world and yet think they can ‘hide’ from God? Wake up people—we’re not hiding from anyone, especially from God. And our passage in Hebrews reminds us that we are all “naked and opened” before the God of the Word!!! And we will all give an account for our choices and actions. But there is hope–Salvation and forgiveness that Jesus bought at the Cross.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9
He will cleanse and forgive through the BLOOD by which HE bought forgiveness and salvation for all who will come to Him in repentance and faith. He died for YOU and ME!
“Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:” Col. 1:13-14
Have you allowed God to transfer YOU into the kingdom of His Son? Oh, how He longs to deliver you from your sin and the payment due for that sin. And for us who already believe and belong to Him, God wants us to yield to His Spirit and more faithfully allow Him to “Order my steps in thy word”!!! And when we realize that it’s God before whom we are “naked and opened”, perhaps we’ll cover up our bodies and open our hearts and minds instead to the work of God’s Spirit leading and helping us to be “conformed to the image of his Son” (Ro. 8:29)! How you might ask? Let’s consider the rest of our passage in Hebrews 4:
“14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest,
that is passed into the heavens,
Jesus the Son of God,
let us hold fast our profession.
15 For we have not an high priest
which cannot be touched
with the feeling of our infirmities;
but was in all points tempted like as we are,
yet without sin.
16 Let us therefore come boldly
unto the throne of grace,
that we may obtain mercy,
and find grace to help in time of need.”
Hebrews 4:14-16
So, will you stand naked and bare on your own merit? Or will you receive the ‘clothing’ of salvation and the privilege of ‘bold’ access to HIS “throne of grace” and live there? Fellow believers, we must walk ‘ordered’ steps before a watching world!!