Why do Christians make such a big deal about the Word of God? Many unbelievers can’t understand that. Why do we like coming to church and hearing someone preach from the Bible? Why do we get up early before going to work so we can read the Bible?
I used to be one of those perplexed unbelievers. When my wife and I first got married, I was not saved. I was not interested in the Bible or going to church. I couldn’t understand how people got so excited about a preacher standing in the pulpit and preaching from the printed text.
Thank God, my eyes have seen the light! Not only do I love studying the Bible and hearing good preaching, but also I am a preacher of the gospel myself. Time and again, I have seen the life-changing impact the ministry of the Word can have on others.
The Question Is Why
That brings us to the title of this post. Why does the Word of God give life when I preach or teach it? I know it has little to do with me. I am not discounting the value of studying the Bible and clearly communicating its truths. The Lord requires that of us He has called to preach. I’m just saying it has to be much more to it than that.
I believe the key lies in these words of Jesus: “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life” (John 63, NASB). Let’s look at this verse more closely:
“It Is the Spirit Who Gives Life.”
That the Holy Spirit gives life to us is the overarching point in the verse above. Every bona fide Christian knows firsthand that the Spirit gives life . Before Christ, we were dead in sin. We became born again through faith in Christ. As a result of that experience, we have been translated from death to life. This life-giving process was a work of the Holy Spirit.
“The Flesh Profits Nothing.”
Jesus contrasts the flesh with the Spirit. Sowing to the flesh yields corruption, but sowing to the Spirit yields life. (Galatians 6:8). This world preoccupies itself with glorifying the flesh. It’s all about the outward appearance and the shape of the body. But God looks on the heart (1 Samuel 16:7). Of course, we should be good stewards of our physical body. But in the end, Jesus says the flesh profits nothing.
The Bible refers to those who focus on their flesh more than their spirit as being carnal-minded. A carnal mind is the antithesis of being spiritually minded. This mindset constitutes enmity against God (Romans 8:7).
“The Words That I Have Spoken to You Are Spirit and Are Life.”
Jesus hereby reveals what puts the Word of God in a class all by itself. God’s Word is not some common literary work of men, though some claim it to be. But it is spirit, and it is life. Spirit and life are not two distinct references but one in the same because the Spirit is life.
When Jesus spoke these words to His audience, He was referring to the actual words He spoke to them. But this also applies the printed words found in our Bible. That is, they are also spirit and life. “All Scripture is inspired by God” (2 Timothy 3:16, NASB). “Holy men spoke as they were moved by the Holy Ghost” (2 Peter 1:21, KJV).
God’s words are spiritual, and they are devoted to edifying us spiritually. Their ultimate objective is for us to become conformed to the image of Christ.
Two Important Take Aways
I believe two important take aways exist in this post based on what Jesus said about the words He spoke.
1. It does matter where we attend church. We should attend a local church where the message is faithfully and passionately preached and taught from the Scriptures. That is the only kind of preaching and teaching that gives life. Preaching and teaching that focus on satisfying the flesh avail nothing.
2. We need to commit ourselves to personal Bible study. The Words of our Lord, found in the Scriptures, are spirit and life. Through them, we should edify our spirit daily. This is the only way for us to become and remain spiritually strong. Christians who neglect to do this will be spiritually anemic.
Copyright 2024 by Frank King. All rights reserved.