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God's powerful word |
| Posted by Mark Hood on 20th June, 2008 |
God puts a high priority on the reading, hearing and explaining of his word. Why?
What is it about the words of God that we ought to ‘bind them as a sign on our hands… and write them on our doorposts, gates..’ and these days - automatic garage doors? (Deut 6:8) Why is the Bible important to us?
This was the central question at a meeting of local Anglican ministers, held last Tuesday at St. Mark’s. The questioner and guest speaker was Peter Adam, Principal of Ridley College, and it was a privilege for us to have Peter - pictured right - join us. For the past year Peter has been applying himself to this very question as the basis for his new (and recently published) book*.
The answer to our question ‘why does God want us to hear his word?’, is not what we might have expected. While we might have anticipated some answers such as, we should read God’s word because it is “truth”, or because it is “inspired”, while useful, are not in fact the central answer the Bible gives.
The answer Peter found instead is, we should read the Bible because ‘these words of God are powerful’. Quoting Isaiah: ‘My word… will accomplish that which I purpose’ (Isa 55:11). Again in the summary of Joshua: ‘Not one [word] has failed of all the good words that the Lord your God has promised concerning you; all have come to pass, not one has fallen to the ground’ (Josh 23:14).
This same idea is right throughout the New Testament. For example, Paul states in Romans, the gospel is ‘the power of God for salvation to everyone who has faith’ (Rom 1:16). “In the New Testament the Word of God – that is, the gospel – is declared to be the means by which God searches hearts, creates faith, effects new birth, cleanses, sanctifies, gives wisdom, builds to maturity – in short saves their souls.”
Here in the word of God (with the action of the Holy Spirit), we have the very power of God at work within us, amongst us, and through us. What a benefit! What a privilege!
Anglican Archbishop Thomas Cranmer, honoured in our Church windows, and theological architect of the Anglican Church, writes ‘the Scriptures are the fat pastures of the soul. Here is not venomous meat, not unwholesome food; here is very tasty and pure food….He who wants to serve God will find here his glory, and promises of eternal life.’
Let us then, take up these scriptures and read! Let us feast upon these fat and wholesome pastures, for, in them the very power of God is at work.
[*Peter Adam’s book, It is Written is available from the Ridley Bookshop. $25, well worth reading. Contact bookshop@ridley.edu.au. We hope to soon post the paper presented by Peter at Tuesday’s Deanery meeting]
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