This is not going to be an article with adult content, and it doesn’t require parental guidance to read. But I still have to issue a warning to the readers: you might find yourselves naked and vulnerable, if you are honest with yourself.
Verse 12 of Hebrews chapter 4 is a very rich verse. There are many truths and theological views we can glean from it. Firstly, the word of God is living and active. This informs the readers that the word of God is more than words; neither is it a magical book with some mystical power. It is living as in alive, and not death. It is active rather than passive. The word of God is at work even when we don’t see it at work. It has life, just like you and I as the word of God is God-breathed or inspired (2 Tim. 3:16), similar language used in Genesis 2:7.
Secondly, the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword. The word of God is not a defensive shield, but an offensive sword. The armor imagery illustrated by Paul in Ephesians 6: 14-17, tells us that it is a weapon of the Spirit. The word of God is more than logos, but also rhema, the kairos or timely word of God. The sharpness of the Sword cannot be compared with any other sword. This reminds me of those martial arts movies I have watched in the past, whereby those swordmen go all the way out to seek for the most powerful and sharpest sword. And the word of God is that kind of sword, I have one, do you have one?
Thirdly, the word of God divides the soul and spirit. This points us to the theology of human makeup: Dichotomy (only two parts) or Trichotomy (three parts). Dichotomism views that the soul and spirit are one in human being, and the Trichotomism views that the body, spirit and soul are different. The Dichotomist will say that this verse supports their view because the soul and spirit are so enmeshed that it needs the supernatural mean of God’s word to divide them. But the Trichotomist will also say that this verse clearly shows that spirit and soul are two separate-able entities. What do I say? I view that the spirit and soul are distinct but enmeshed and only the word of God can differentiate them.
And fourthly, the word of God judges the thoughts and intentions of the heart. The word of God convicts the sins of our hearts. It knows the thoughts of our minds and the intentions of our hearts so that it can actively reveal to us as we read and convicts us to transform. This is the power of the word of God. That is why the author of Hebrews concludes in verse 13 that no creatures hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him. In other words, we lay naked before the word of God. We stand naked before the truth.
If the word of God is living and active, if the word of God is sharper than any two-edged sword, if the word of God can divide the soul and spirit, and if the word of God is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart; how else can we escape from the sight of God? Have you ever try hiding away from God? I did. Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden (Gen. 3:8). But with no avail. There is no way we can hide, at least I can’t hide. The word of God keeps exposing me.
Maybe God is calling you to serve in some areas but you are not willing and try to evade the issue. But you find yourself reading the Bible telling you to serve, listening to the sermon telling you to serve, studying the Bible which the conclusion is that you are to serve. You can run, but you cannot hide.
When you open the word of God today, be prepared to be naked, as you face the naked truth. I am naked now, in truth.
HHS…
Abel…
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