“The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” John 6:63
Dear Ones:
There is a great difference between the words of God, and those of men. It is true that both can comfort, strengthen, encourage, and inspire in some way, but there is a fundamental element in the words of God that is not found in those of natural, unbelieving man. It is simply, power. When we read in the letter the Hebrews, that: “…the worlds were framed by the word of God,” (11:3) we are confronted with the practical, and effectual working of the word of God. In Genesis 1, we read that, “God SAID, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light.” (v.3) It is as God speaks that His wisdom and power are revealed. Why is it that the spoken word of God possesses this power, this effectual working, which truly goes “…beyond all that we could ask or think?” The answer is found in the second verse of the Bible: “…and the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.” Whenever there is the word of God spoken, there is the moving of the Spirit. He moves, and works, to accomplish the will and purpose of the Father. A specific example of this is seen in God’s dealings with the prophets. He would speak first TO them. That, in and of itself, would change them forever. Such was the case of Isaiah and Jeremiah, in God’s dealings with them, His calling and equipping. Then, there would be God’s word spoken through His prophets to individuals, or to the nation of Israel. This too would have a resounding effect, either in a positive manner or a negative one. The point is that when God spoke, there was power, and this by the Spirit moving.
During the ministry of the Lord Jesus, He would constantly make clear the difference between that which was of God, and that which was of man. Specifically, He would speak of the ministry of the Spirit of God to save a soul, as contrasted with all the resources and capacities of man, to save himself. This is so clearly seen when He spoke of being born again. He specifically speaks of “power” to become a son, or child, of God. He then contrasts the work of God, as opposed to the works of man, by saying: “…which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, BUT OF GOD.” (Jn. 1:12) Only God can do the work of God, in particular, with regard to saving the soul. Man does not possess this power.
The meeting between Nicodemus and Jesus is one of the clearest illustrations of how man’s capacities, whether religious or not, cannot in any way enable him to save himself. When Jesus speaks to Nicodemus about the imperative of being born again, Nicodemus cannot understand. This is evidenced by his question: “How can a man be born when he is old?” (Jn. 3:4) Jesus will then make it clear that it is not a question of understanding HOW, but WHAT the source of salvation truly is: “Except a man be born of water, and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (v.5) As in the beginning of creation, the Spirit will need to move, in order accomplish the work of God. What then is God’s method in dealing with Nicodemus? It is the speaking of the truth by His word. He tells him: “Whosoever BELIEVES in Him (Christ), shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (v.15) There is power in that word, power to give faith to the one who will receive it…power to believe, to be saved, to be transformed.
Later on in John’s gospel, Jesus said: “…the words that I speak to you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (6:63) Herein lies the great difference between the words of God by the Spirit, and those of man. God’s words possess the power and authority to create, not only a world, but a new creature in Christ.
Dear Father, Give us to be those who hear Your voice by Your word, respond in faith and obedience, knowing Your life-giving power today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad