The Word of God is living and active. It pries, prods, kicks and squirms; twists, shoves, rips and tears its way into every crook and cranny of the minds and hearts of men until all is “open and laid bare”. Then – redemption.
The Apostle Paul sums up Dad’s message in the most compelling statement:
″For the Word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And before Him no creature is hidden, but all are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” ~ Hebrews 4:12-13 (Dad’s NT Bible)
Paul points out that God’s works were finished from the foundation of the world. Then He rested on the seventh day (Sabbath). God intended for man to enter into that rest with Him, but man rebelled (Heb. 4:1-5). Without accepting God’s plan of redemption through faith in Jesus, man may never enter God’s rest. Without acknowledging his sin, and accepting Jesus as Messiah, man is eternally barred from entering into an everlasting relationship with his Creator.
BUT GOD! In His infinite mercy and grace, God provided His living Word as a testament to His abiding love for all men. He made a plan for redemption. His Son fulfilled the Father’s plan on the cross. Christ defeated death, and God gave His Living Word to proclaim the Good News to let men know about it.
... He sets a certain day, “Today”, saying through David so long afterward, in the words already quoted, “Today, when you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
~ Hebrews 4:7 (Dad’s NT Bible)
I thank and praise God for laying my sins bare. His living Word pursued me like a Lion. It found my hidden parts; then pierced my mind and heart, dividing me asunder. I give Him glory everlasting and thank Him for allowing me to strive for rest in Him. When I get discouraged it’s usually because I have spent too much time caught up in the “cares of this world” with less time in God’s Word. Those distractions cause me to be fruitless, while choking God’s Word (Mark 4:18-19).
So here is the last part of the message of encouragement that Dad marked at the bottom of page 381:
I think it means perseverance. What do you think?
I miss you, Dad ...
Original post at Importantstuff.live on 03/03/2016.
Comments