All Revealed

All Disclosed

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.” (Hebrews 4:12)

When we refer to “the Word of God” we are eluding to both forms of His word. We must include both the written Word and the living Word, Jesus Christ as He is “living and energizing” us and is the double-edged sword of the Spirit, piercing into the deepest recesses of body, soul, and spirit, where it “discerns” even the very thoughts and intents of our hearts. One is a giver of the word, the other a tester of its effectiveness.

The life and times of Christ and his chosen compose the discernment, which, is more than just understanding or insight. The Greek word for “discerner” is kritikos and is used only this one time in the Bible. Our word “critic” is derived from it, and this is an important dimension of its meaning. Its discernment is a critical, judging discernment—one which convicts and corrects, as well as one which understands and forgives..

It is paradoxical that men today presume to become critics of the Bible when it should really be the other way around. There are textual critics who sort through the various ancient manuscripts of the Bible, trying to arrive at the original text; there are the “higher critics” who critique vocabularies and concepts, trying to show that the traditional authors did not actually write the books attributed to them; and then there are many other purely destructive critics who criticize the Bible’s miracles, morals, and everything else, hoping thereby to justify their rebellion against the Word. If there is a fault among us, prove it existed before establishing itself in us. In this manner it is rendered lifeless and of none effect. If a finger can be pointed, weaker minds point to declare their own faults of none effect and justified.

But the pure Word of God, called “the Bible” still stands in full authority, indisputable and powerful. It stands in judgment on our lives and our subconscious motives. In it is a judgment for every thing under the heavens. If we err from its teachings, we judge ourselves. The true path is set. It is the walker that must measure up to its incline. It will have the final word when “the books [are] opened . . . and the dead [are] judged out of those things which were written in the books” (Revelation 20:12). It is far better to heed the constructive criticism of the Word now than to hear its condemnation later. Know God, know peace. Amen BLL 01-06-2019