The Word of God - Powerful or Not?

[B. W.]

How powerful is God's Word, spoken, written, recorded, revealed?

The word of God — the words God speaks do they have any 'effect' or 'affect' on anything at all in today's modern world? Any relevance?

Is God faithful to keep his word and do what he says, mean what he says, perform what he says?

Isaiah 55:11, "So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it." KJV

Hebrews 4:12, "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." KJV

Are these two bible passages true or not?

Ideas — insights? This is not a trick question not sure if this topic has been explored on this forum...
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[madscientist]

How powerful is God’s Word, spoken, written, recorded, revealed?

The word of God – the words God speaks do they have any ‘effect’ or ‘affect’ on anything at all in today’s modern world? Any relevance?

Well i personally think that it is very powerful for those who decided to follow God however those who decided not to follow or - refused to follow it is not coz its not powerful enogh but because free will in such individuals is more powerful to ignore it than to accept. At least my view. If Gods word wasnt revelaved then noone would come to repentence. The effect they have is that at least some individuals turned away and try to get to God. However those others may be affected that they may sometime actually harm those who listen this Word, and they become more evil - e.g. those who hate Christ's followers. If those following didnt listen then those hating wouldnt have a reason - however this Word was meant for those who want it not for those who hate and do evil to those who decide to be "good" i.e. be with Christ.

Is God faithful to keep his word and do what he says, mean what he says, perform what he says?

He is faithful to keep it - as the Bible says; however it could be a paradox - coz Bible is the Word and so the Word speaks of itself... well i think this is an open question whether you are a belieber or no. if yes then you beliwve He will, if not you dont believe. So its like belieivng on God himself.
As for teh passages i believe them to be true howveer im not a good person to xplain what they mean... Hope that helps.

[B. W.]

How powerful is God's Word, spoken, written, recorded, revealed?

The word of God; the words God speaks do they have any effect or affect on anything at all in todays modern world? Any relevance?

Well i personally think that it is very powerful for those who decided to follow God however those who decided not to follow or - refused to follow it is not coz its not powerful enough but because free will in such individuals is more powerful to ignore it than to accept. At least my view. If Gods word wasn't revealed then no one would come to repentance. The effect they have is that at least some individuals turned away and try to get to God. However those others may be affected that they may sometime actually harm those who listen this Word, and they become more evil - e.g. those who hate Christ's followers. If those following didn't listen then those hating wouldn't have a reason - however this Word was meant for those who want it not for those who hate and do evil to those who decide to be "good" i.e. be with Christ.

Is God faithful to keep his word and do what he says, mean what he says, perform what he says?

He is faithful to keep it - as the Bible says; however it could be a paradox - coz Bible is the Word and so the Word speaks of itself... well i think this is an open question whether you are a believer or no. if yes then you believe He will, if not you dont believe. So its like believing on God himself.
As for teh passages i believe them to be true however I'm not a good person to explain what they mean... Hope that helps.

Thanks for your insights,

Here is a little exercise or Bible study that anyone can do that illustrates that God's word still has power:

John 1:1-14 teaches what?

Luke 12:51-52 reveals what about the word?

From Hebrews 4:12, what is the role of the word of God today — the legacy that Jesus left? Or what is it God within his word that God is faithful to perform and does his word still have the same effect as these passages reveal?

In regards to you statement concerning free will above — what effect would God's word have on it?

Next, concerning the subject of believing — faith — in the context of the bible is the same as what it needed to go into a marriage. This involves commitment, fidelity, relationship; the trust involved and that develops like in a marriage relationship.

Believing is not a mental ascension towards some idea — it is a life to be lived. Just like in marriage. When Jesus declares in John 3:15-21 that whosoever believes in him — what is he saying? Now, what 'effect' will his word have on you?
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[madscientist]

Here is a little exercise or Bible study that anyone can do that illustrates that God’s word still has power:

John 1:1-14 teaches what?

Luke 12:51-52 reveals what about the word?

From Hebrews 4:12, what is the role of the word of God today – the legacy that Jesus left? Or what is it God within his word that God is faithful to perform and does his word still have the same effect as these passages reveal?

In regards to you statement concerning free will above – what effect would God’s word have on it?

Uhh... rhose are some hard questions to answer... Well since i am not the one who likes to analyze in detial or understand much bible passages, John 1:14 teaches that light - probably Jesus - or God - is the existance of everyhting and nothing can exist withut Him... or soemthng similar. Luke 12:51-52 could mean that in this world there is divison, lots of hatred etc - but it is in the next world that will be peace. Hebrews 4:12 shows God's word is strong and can penetrate - is strong etc... Sorry if my xplanations arent that helpful or just stating what it says - i am not the right person but i try what o can...

[/quote]Next, concerning the subject of believing – faith – in the context of the bible is the same as what it needed to go into a marriage. This involves commitment, fidelity, relationship; the trust involved and that develops like in a marriage relationship.

Believing is not a mental ascension towards some idea – it is a life to be lived. Just like in marriage. When Jesus declares in John 3:15-21 that whosoever believes in him – what is he saying? Now, what 'effect' will his word have on you?

Ya about the marriage - conpletely agreewith you. yes - life, but not aslo a mental ascension towards an idea? You want to belive so you set yourself to belive and persaude yourself. And the life change comes with that. This passage probably means that who believes will be the light i.e. be saved and who won't will not be saved coz he'll be overwhelmed by his own darknes (or maybe not... what i think of it... something in that context..)
OK hope taht helps

[B. W.]

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Here is another Study on the effect of God's word as it will either produce within a person a love for God or a rejection of God.

1 Corinthians 11:1, Paul writes, "Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ..." NKJV --- This reveals what?

1 John 2:6 states what?

How can one do what the scriptures tell us in these two verses?

Paul writes in Ephesians 1:17 what in reference to walking as the Lord would?

I would suggest beginning by reading Deuteronomy 32:3-4 and Job 34:10, Job 34:12, and Job 34:16-17 , Psalm 113:4-9, and then asking the Lord how you yourself can best reflect the image and likeness of God that God's word reveals where ever you are at in this here and now. Genesis 1:26-27

Ephesians 5 reveals what truth? Why if it were impossible?

1 John 1:1-10 reveals a path and how we learn as we stumble along. This life is a time of learning from our shortcomings — it is life long. It takes time to expose sin within our hearts and then cleansing from it. Learning to walk will be painful at times, other times joyous, do not be afraid of the journey, you'll learn from the best…

Matthew 11:28-29 reveals how


Homework for another day:

Galatians 4:19

Colossians 1:27-28

Philippians 1:2-6

Isaiah 12:1-6

Luke 24:46-48 and Matthew 28:18-20
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[Jac3510]

Next, concerning the subject of believing — faith — in the context of the bible is the same as what it needed to go into a marriage. This involves commitment, fidelity, relationship; the trust involved and that develops like in a marriage relationship.

Believing is not a mental ascension towards some idea — it is a life to be lived. Just like in marriage. When Jesus declares in John 3:15-21 that whosoever believes in him — what is he saying? Now, what 'effect' will his word have on you?

I disagree. Belief is mental assent. It is being completely persuaded that something is true (see Rom. 4:21; Heb 11:1). What are we to believe to be saved? That Jesus is the Christ, which means that He is the guarantor of eternal life (see John 11:25-26; 20:31). That is why Calvin said that assurance is of the essence of saving faith. If a person has never known that they have eternal life on the basis of Christ's promise, then they don't have it, because, by definition, they've not believed.

*shrug* I so don't have time for this, haha. Just wanted to register the thought, though.

God bless

[B. W.]

Next, concerning the subject of believing — faith — in the context of the bible is the same as what it needed to go into a marriage. This involves commitment, fidelity, relationship; the trust involved and that develops like in a marriage relationship.
Believing is not a mental ascension towards some idea — it is a life to be lived. Just like in marriage. When Jesus declares in John 3:15-21 that whosoever believes in him — what is he saying? Now, what 'effect' will his word have on you?

I disagree. Belief is mental assent. It is being completely persuaded that something is true (see Rom. 4:21; Heb 11:1). What are we to believe to be saved? That Jesus is the Christ, which means that He is the guarantor of eternal life (see John 11:25-26; 20:31). That is why Calvin said that assurance is of the essence of saving faith. If a person has never known that they have eternal life on the basis of Christ's promise, then they don't have it, because, by definition, they've not believed.

*shrug* I so don't have time for this, haha. Just wanted to register the thought, though.

God bless

I was referring to where one's mental ascension ultimately leads as well as correlating it to how one can best understand the concept of believing / faith by use of the marriage example.

Oh course you need to mentally ascent in order to believe for salvation but of this belief — where will it take you - how will it develop? We are called to Love God — Matthew 22:37-38 and in 1 John 4:19 we learn to love God because he first loved us. We need to mentally ascent to this fact as John 3:15-16 reveals about the beginnings of believing faith.

However — where will your belief take you? If one believes unto salvation and next moment they die that is one thing but most are not blessed by such opportunity to enter heaven so quickly. Instead for most of us, we plod along in life. For us that remain, where will our belief lead? To the library for more mental ascent or learning to know God day by day?

If you are not learning to Love God — what point is the gospel message? Why would Paul bother to pray his prayer in Ephesians 3:14-21 and Jesus in his prayer recorded in John 17?

Again 1 Corinthians 13:1-13 is quite a refutation of head knowledge ascent alone. As important as mental ascension is towards entering the Kingdom of God through salvations work, if it leads to a dead end — it is nothing. Believing leads you somewhere and to someone and builds a bond between you and God unbreakable, if not, it is not believing in the fullest sense of the word. Many before walked this path Hebrews 11.

That was my point.

Galatians 5:6
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[YLTYLT]

It seems to me, and I think Jac would probably agree with this, that these verses that referenced faith would be about discipleship and not salvation.

I do not think one can live by faith if they do not have Faith (salvation).

But I do think it is possible for one to have Faith but not live by it.

Essentially Christians have 2 natures. The old sinful man and the new nature of the Holy Spirit. We can chose to listen to either.

Although there definitely could be earthly (sickness,accidents, heartache) as well as heavenly consequenses (loss of rewards in heaven) if one does not live by that faith and finish their race ("endure to the end").

Luke 12:42-49
12:46 Christians who fail to serve others down here on earth will one day be made to feel as if they had been through hell (i.e., “and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers”) at the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST (Mt 24:51). In order to properly prepare for CHRIST'S return, Christians must be willing to take in the truth (Eph 6:14) and then give it out (Mt 5:14). Spiritual laziness is what is being warned against here (See - Mt 24:44 & I Pet 1:13).
12:47 CHRIST is not teaching here that a Christian can lose his/her salvation. Rather He is warning them that the JUDGMENT SEAT OF CHRIST is not merely a place of reward (Rom 14:9-12 & Jms 3:1 & I Pet 4:17 & I Jn 4:17 & Heb 10:26-31 & II Jn 8 & Rev 3:11 & Rev 4:10), but a place of regret as well (II Cor 5:10-11 & Mt 5:19 & I Cor 3:14).



1 Corinthians 3
15If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.

Despite what Christians might think, there will be suffering in heaven. It's called regret. Some Christians will not only suffer the loss of rewards (See - Ezk 3:20 & Rev 3:11), but they will suffer the loss of joy (since rewards are linked to joy - Mt 25:21,23, II Tim 2:12) and the loss of ruling and reigning with CHRIST. According to Revelation 21:4, tears of regret will not be wiped away until the end of the Millennium when the Eternal State begins. Meaning, Christians will have up to 1,000 years to weep and have regret over not having served God when they should have. Why would there be tears to wipe away for Christians during these 1000 years if they had nothing to regret?


In his book CRISIS OF FAITH, Keating points out,

“In this poor penitent woman, we have an example of someone who does know her own misery and wretchedness and how sunk in sin she is, who makes no secret of the fact to herself and to God (and to everybody else for that matter), and who appeals to the love of Christ to save her.
She does not say, “Well, I owe you five hundred denarii and I'll pay you back at the rate of five denarii a month on the installment plan.” Oh no! She just collapses at His feet and relies a hundred percent on His mercy.
Imagine what she must have felt when Our Lord turned to her and said, “Your sins are forgiven.” That is all she wanted to hear. She did not ask to be a saint, she did not ask to be a mystic, she did not ask to be anything. All she wanted, and wanted desperately, was to get rid of her sins. She contacted Christ on His weak side, because that is precisely the reason that He came down from Heaven: “I have come to save that which was lost.” Not partially lost, not just what is in bad shape, but what is absolutely hopeless —shot!”

Well said my brother! Salvation is nothing more than the sincere acknowledgment of need, and hope in His mercy.

[FFC]

Amen!

[B. W.]

It seems to me, and I think Jac would probably agree with this, that these verses that referenced faith would be about discipleship and not salvation...

Yes - discipleship was in line with my train of thought concerning subject. As we are called to make disciples of Christ.

That Christ died for us and rose from the dead - amazing! What love God has - to do such a wonderous work! amazing!!!
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