SWORD

Heb.4:12: "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."

The Amplified translation in this verse, calls God's Word: Effective, active, powerful.

I have come to appreciate this statement as being friendly and helpful, not as something to be dreaded. God does not intend His Sword as a threat against His children, but as an intrument of deliverance.

Again, the Word of God is called the sword of the Spirit in Eph.6:17. Note also Psalms 107:20. "He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions."

"Destructions" might be anything that causes us to offend the Lord, or which causes us distress. Notice that God sent His Word and healed and delivered them.

Sin causes inner, personal distress. Often the distress is our awareness that we have done wrong, and we cannot seem to be at ease or to feel good about what we did. Sin causes other forms of distress that shows up in various ways. If you have ever sinned against a dear friend, you may know how that sins can cause inner distress. All of us have sinned against the dearest Friend that anyone can have; Jesus Christ. Romans 3:23.

Isa. 48:22 shows why the foregoing facts are true. God says that there is no peace to the wicked.

If you have ever wished for automatic victory over temptation, you have longed for what God's Word can do for you. It can cause immediate correct response.

In truly born again believers, impulses to sin and the temptations that we suffer, work in and through the "Old Nature." They do not originate in our "New Nature in Christ."

If we can get rid of those impulses, if we can be strong in "right, Godly living" we can live in victory. Getting rid of them is the work of the Sword in our TEXT. It makes a "clean cut" and it separates from us that which is bad. Note Isa.55:11; Acts 20:32; and Romans 1:16.

What we need to help us, even if we are unwilling, or unable to comply with God's will, is IN the Word of God. Mt. 4:4; 2 Pet.1:3.

Instead of struggling with conviction against wrong, let that conviction minister strength to you. Let God's Word deliver and change you! It can set us free from the "old self", the person we were before we came to Christ. E.g., 1 Cor. 6:9-11.

If you are "hung up" on some point of needed obedience to God, let His Word "cut you loose." Rom. 1:16-17.

When we are saved, we come into one level of faith. However, it also takes faith to follow Jesus as a disciple, and to move on to the next level from 'babyhood.' Micah. 2:7b. Carefully read the following Scriptures: Psalms 119:104, 111, 113, 125, 127-128, 165, 169.

Lay down your anxieties; let His Word do its work in you. Acts 20:32. Come to God in prayer, ASK Him to work in your heart by His Word. Think deeply on His Word that applies to your concerns. It is the Word of LIFE and it will help you.

FACT: In Him we have redemption, even the forgiveness of sins, Col.1:14.

FACT: Salvation is OF the Lord. Eph. 2:8-9.

FACT: God IS willing and ready to help us, if we will turn to Him, in faith and repentance. John 3:16.

FACT: Since God went to such extremes to help us when we were His enemies by wicked works, HOW MUCH MORE is He willing and ready to help us, when we come to Him as His children, asking for His help. Heb. 9:14.

FACT: Jesus has redeemed us by His Blood. Col. 1:14.

FACT: Jesus' Blood delivers us from the wrath to come. 1 Thes. 1:10.

FACT: Jesus loved us and washed us from our sins in His Own Blood. Rev. 1:5.

No icon of religion dares to make the claims that Jesus made. The blood of none of them can take away sins. Only the true Messiah can point to His empty tomb. All other 'messiah's' and 'founders' of religions are FALSE! Rom.1:4.

By the FACTS mentioned above, and more in the Bible, God's Word declares redemption for all, whosoever will. The invitation is "out", not only to come to God for our past sinful life, but to help us now follow Jesus in faith and true holiness. Heb. 4:16.

See how God's Word separates us from uncertainty, by declaring the FACTS AS THEY ARE, in Christ Jesus? I love you.