Dear Ones:
Scripture tells us that the word of God is “the sword of the Spirit.” (Eph. 6:17) In the book of Hebrews, we are taken further in our understanding of the “role” and “manner” of the word of God: “For the word of God is quick (living), and powerful, and sharper than ANY two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, of the joints and marrow, and is a DISCERNER of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (4:12) Perfect examples of the use and the power of the sword are found in John’s gospel, first of all concerning Nicodemus. The Lord’s word to him is: “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (3:3) The sword enters into the heart of Nicodemus, and immediately produces the effect of revealing where he is in his understanding of the ways of God, as opposed to the religious thought of his day. Twice Nicodemus will ask the question: “How?” The sword has begun to discern the “thoughts.” It is then that Christ confronts him with the contrast between the “heavenly” and the “earthly.” And in this line of thought, He declares, “…NO man hath ascended up to heaven, but He that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.” (v.13) By the word of God, Jesus brings Nicodemus face to face with Christ’s “heavenliness,” His Divinity, and thus, the truth that He IS the Messiah, and Savior of the world. Not only did the word of God reveal that Nicodemus was not born of the Spirit, but also that he did NOT believe Christ to BE the Son of God, only “…a teacher come from God.” (v.2) Nicodemus is brought before an unscalable wall reaching into heaven. The only up and over it is “a new creation” by the Spirit, choosing to believe in Christ and Christ ALONE as the Messiah, and Son of God. “…Whosoever believeth in Him shall not perish, but have everlasting life.”(3:16)
When Jesus, of necessity, had to pass through Samaria, he confronted a woman who came to draw water at a well. Again, the word of God would be the discerner of the thoughts of her heart. His word: “If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith unto thee, ‘Give me to drink: thou wouldest have asked of Him, and He would have given thee living water.'” (4:10) By the reaction of the woman, her thoughts are revealed. She declares that she does not understand the nature or sources of this “living water.” She then speaks of her own thirst, still not realizing of what Christ spoke. But it will be when Jesus tells her to, “…Go, call thy husband, and come hither,” that the woman responds with the truth. This will be the doorway for the word of God to further teach her of God’s gift, and the Giver. Jesus will speak to her of true worship, and the fact that her concepts are false with regard to the nature of worship (“…in Spirit and truth…”), and the place of worship. But then, like in the case of Nicodemus, Jesus confronts the woman with WHO He truly is. The sword goes into the heart of this woman who is honestly willing to hear the truth. “I that speak unto thee am He (the Messiah, the Christ.)” (v.26) The word of God, this sword of the Spirit, will dispel the lies and misconceptions of the woman, along with many people in her village, and this to the point where they will declare: “…Now WE believe, not because of thy saying: for WE HAVE HEARD HIM ourselves, and KNOW that this is indeed is the Christ, the SAVIOR OF THE WORLD.” (v.42) How is it that these Samaritans can come to faith in Christ, and this, not knowing the ways of God (the gift of God), nor the Giver? It is by the sword of the Spirit, which goes deep into the heart and discerns the thoughts and intentions. There, in the heart’s depths, the truth dispels the darkness, and many come to the light, to live…even to the Fountain of Living Water.
Dear Lord, give us grace to seek Thee in Thy word, and this increasingly. For as Peter said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.” Speak to our hearts and bring us increasingly to understand Thy ways, Thy Gift, and who Thou art. Grant us grace to whole-heartedly believe in Thee, and to receive all that Thou does desire to give, even fullness of Life, Thy Life, forevermore. Amen.
Love, Dad