WHAT I IF TOLD YOU, YOU READ THIS SENTENCE WRONG?
Would you believe me? Would you double-check and read it again?
Could there be something you missed or overlooked?
The Bible is like that, in a way.
In fact, the Bible tells us that the Word of God is a living entity:
For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.
Hebrews 4:12 GNT
Which means it’s more than just a book to read. It’s an entity to have a relationship with.
Sound crazy?
Perhaps. But you may have already experienced some of the relational side of the Bible.
For instance, have you ever read or heard a portion of scripture that impacted you in some way? Perhaps you found an answer, or a promise, or some hope or comfort that you needed.
And have you later gone back over that same portion of scripture, and found it contained something entirely different than what you found before?
I have. And the more I engage with scripture and embed it as a habit in my life, the more I see things that I totally missed the first time.
Why? Because growth takes place in every relationship we have.
Wait—it’s a little creepy to talk about having a relationship with a book. And to treat it as if it were “alive”. So what gives?
The first chapter of the Gospel of John explains. It refers to Jesus Christ as the Word of God. The Word of God isn’t simply alive. It is actually to be considered Jesus Christ, the only son of God.
And having a relationship with Jesus makes sense even where relating to the Bible might not.
So am I saying the Bible changes? Absolutely not. Scripture is crystal clear about that:
The grass withers, the flower fades; nothing lasts except the Word of our God. It will stand forever.
Isaiah 40:8 Voice
No, the Word of God doesn’t change. It actually changes us.
But the Holy Spirit DOES reveal or illuminate scripture that we need today. Because we aren’t the same person we were a year ago. And our relationship with scripture has grown as well.
It isn’t that certain things are kept hidden. It’s simply that God often provides what we need from scripture when we need it. And if our relationship is growing, there will always be more to draw from.
Today, read this short passage from the first chapter of the Gospel of John:
In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. God created everything through him, and nothing was created except through him. The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
John 1:1-5, 14 NLT
This is a very recognizable passage of scripture. Perhaps you’ve heard it before or read it before.
Now go back and read again until something jumps out at you. Perhaps a new understanding, or something you’ve missed before, or overlooked, or something that simply catches your attention.
Then let that thought rattle around in your head. Imagine a picture of what that looks like, or what it impacts or changes.
And let the Word of God speak to you today.
That’s worship.
–Pastor Steve.