How God speaks to us
The "Word of God"
We, Christians, believe that the Bible, (both covenants), is authoritative (trustworthy and true), inerrant (without error), and the inspired (breathed in by the Holy Spirt), “Word of God”, as revealed to humanity by the Holy Spirit.
The “Word of God” contains God's message to humanity, revealing His character, nature, and will. Comprised of the Old Testament, (Scriptures), and the New Testament (NT), it contains the complete documented “Word of God” including the teachings of Jesus Christ and the early church.
The Bible or “Word of God” is more than just a collection of books. It is the living and active revelation of God to humanity. It contains the wisdom and guidance necessary to live a meaningful and fulfilling life. It is the foundation of Christian belief and our source of spiritual wisdom and understanding. Therefore, In order for us to grow in faith and in our relationship with God, we must study it, write it's words in our hearts, and apply its teachings to our everyday lives.
Ways that God reveals his Word.
- Personified
The Word of God has been revealed in the person of The Son of God, Jesus Christ aka “Thee Word”. Who has communicated the character of God the Father and spoke his will to us.
In the following verses we read where Jesus is declared as the Son of God, the Word
John 1:1 In the beginning, was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
John 1:14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.
Rev 19:13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
2. And God said
Throughout scripture, God’s Word has often taken the form of “decrees” that cause events to happen and things to come into being. For example
Gen 1: 3 And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.
We see the phrase “and God said” throughout the seven-day creation narrative.
A decree of God is a Word of God that causes something to happen. In Hebrews 1:3 that these decrees also include the continual existence of all things and that Christ is continually upholding the universe by his “Word” of power.
Heb 1:3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word.
3. God's word given as "a personal address"
God also speaks to people directly in what is called “God’s Word as a Personal Address”.
Examples of this in scripture include God speaking to Adam in
Gen 2:16-17 And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; 17 but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die.”
The giving of the 10 commandments in Ex 20:1-3
1 And God spoke all these words:
2 “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.
3 “You shall have no other gods before me.
At Jesus’s baptism in Matt 3:17 we read that God the Father spoke with a voice from heaven saying.
17 “This is my Son, whom I love; with him, I am well pleased.”
In all cases when God speaks words of personal address to people, it is clear to the hearer that these were the actual words of God, and they are hearing God’s voice which holds absolute divine authority. To disbelieve or disobey any such words of God is a sin.
4. God also speaks his Word through our lips.
Often in Scripture God raises up prophets through whom he speaks. Although these are human words spoken by ordinary people. their authority holds true, as they are still 100% God’s words. There are many examples of this to be found in Scripture.
Deut 18:18-20 I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their fellow Israelites, and I will put my words in his mouth. He will tell them everything I command him. 19 I myself will call to account anyone who does not listen to my words that the prophet speaks in my name. 20 But a prophet who presumes to speak in my name anything I have not commanded, or a prophet who speaks in the name of other gods, is to be put to death.’
*Notice the severe consequences of being a false prophet!
Jer 1:9 Then the Lord reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, ‘I have put my words in your mouth.
declares the Lord.
Exodus 4:12 Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say.’
Isaiah 30:12-14 Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says:
‘Because you have rejected this message,
relied on oppression
and depended on deceit,
13 this sin will become for you
like a high wall, cracked and bulging,
that collapses suddenly, in an instant.
14 It will break in pieces like pottery,
shattered so mercilessly
that among its pieces not a fragment will be found
for taking coals from a hearth
or scooping water out of a cistern.’
“God’s Word” spoken through human lips is considered to be just as authoritative and true, as God’s words of personal address.
5. God's word given in written form
We also find the Word of God in written form. Where God’s words were physically written down by him. For example, the two tablets of stone on which God wrote the 10 Commandments., twice!
Exodus 31:18 When the Lord finished speaking to Moses on Mount Sinai, he gave him the two tablets of the covenant law, the tablets of stone inscribed by the finger of God.
Exodus 32:16 The tablets were the work of God; the writing was the writing of God, engraved on the tablets.
and the second copy,
Exodus 34:1 The Lord said to Moses, “Chisel out two stone tablets like the first ones, and I will write on them the words that were on the first tablets, which you broke.
Exodus 34:28 Moses was there with the Lord forty days and forty nights without eating bread or drinking water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant—the Ten Commandments.
In summary, the "word of God" is central to our faith, and refers to the written and revealed message of God that is found in the Bible and personified in the Son of God, Jesus Christ. This is the Word of God that is proclaimed in church. It is our source of guidance, comfort, and instruction, that brings about our spiritual growth and transformation.
As we've seen, there are many ways to hear the Word of God, the easiest way is to read the Bible. If your search for spiritual answers has only begun, a good place to start by reading the Bible, beginning with John's gospel.
Have a great day, and God bless,
Trev.