Bible Ballistics: BBs #514  Are You Carrying The Word???

 

Or are you letting The Word carry YOU? Sometimes we think that just because we ‘carry’ a Bible around with us that we are special; but the truth is that we are to let “The Word” carry us. While I’m often asked if I am one of those ‘Bible Thumpers’, I don’t’ mind answering in the affirmative, but not in the sense that many think of. I am absolutely confident in the veracity, dependability and relevance of The Word of God—the written Word as well as the Living Word, Jesus; and it is the life that makes me confident. It is not only the foundation of all that I believe as a Christian and follower of Jesus, but it is also the source of my living each and every day for, with and through Jesus.

“To whom God would make known

what is the riches

of the glory of this mystery

among the Gentiles;

which is Christ in you,

the hope of glory:” Colossians 1:27

It’s not the Word (my Bible) that I carry around with me, which gives me life, but it is The Word in me—working God’s work amidst a lost and dying world.

“Wherefore, my beloved,

as ye have always obeyed,

not as in my presence only,

but now much more in my absence,

work out your own salvation

with fear and trembling.

13 For it is God which worketh in you

both to will

and to do

of his good pleasure.”   Philippians 2:12-13

Not working ‘for’ our salvation, but working out the salvation that God has put within us, for His glory and the propagation of the Gospel! Even Jesus was doing the work of The Father, by the power of His own deity within flesh, and the presence of His Father through the Holy Spirit, it was His very sustenance! When the disciples wondered why He wasn’t hungry on a particular occasion, He taught them this truth:

“Jesus saith unto them,

My meat

is to do the will of him

that sent me,

and to finish his work.” John 4:34

If the very Son of God depended on The Father to accomplish HIS work in and through Him, how much more do we need to yield to HIS work in and through us! We are to live recognizing the truth that it is “Christ in you, the hope of glory”! It’s all about what HE can do through us, when we but give Him the reins of our life to lead, direct and work HIS work today and each day on our life’s journey.

Our job is to put The Word in us—the written Word—and allow The Living Word to be seen as we live out our faith before a world that needs Jesus! Taking God’s Word as our source of life, applying its truths by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit, who can use even ‘cracked pots’ like me and you. He takes imperfect, marred vessels and transforms us into vessels of honor and value to our KING as we sacrifice our will to HIS!

“I beseech you therefore, brethren,

by the mercies of God,

that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice,

holy,

acceptable unto God,

which is your reasonable service.

2 And be not conformed

to this world:

but be ye transformed

by the renewing of your mind,

that ye may prove what is that

good,

and acceptable,

and perfect,

will of God.”   Romans 12:1-2

Transformed lives are our testimony of grace! All by the Word of God—the Living Word, Jesus, and the written Word, the Bible! It is our power of living as believers, and the standard of judgment for all when we stand before The Holy, Almighty God of all creation. So, are you simply carrying around a Bible without letting it affect you? Or are you being transformed into the image of Jesus day by day as HE carries you? The choice is yours! But there is a test!

“For the word of God is

quick,

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