Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, and both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” NASB
In this passage as well as 1 Peter 1:23, “Word” is literal. It refers to the actual written scriptures also known to us as the Word of God. “Living” is translated in the KJV as “Quick.” Both living and quick mean the same thing; ALIVE. The Bible is the “Living Word.” It is alive.
A Cook Book is not alive but if you follow the instructions in it you can make a cake. If you use the recipe and follow the instructions the cake will look and taste the same as the authors. The recipe is no respecter of persons. No matter who you are, how much money you make, what kind of car you drive, or whether you are a Baptist or Methodist, the cake will turn out the same if you follow the instructions. God’s Word takes this concept a step higher. Yes, if you follow the instructions in the Word of God you will get the same results without respect to who you are, but there are times when we only have to speak God’s Word, or just believe God’s Word to get results. Try that with a recipe. Try speaking the ingredients and see if a Cake gets made.
Not only can we activate God’s Living Word by speaking and believing; God’s Word can bring about changes in our spirit by reading it. Our hearts can be broken, molded and changed when we spend time absorbing His Living Word.
The Living Word brings about change in the spirit and in the natural. God’s Living Word is active. With mustard seed faith God’s Word instructs us that we can do anything. “Say to this mountain, move from here to there, and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20 NIV I don’t think He intends for us to try moving mountains to test our faith, but if there was a need to move a mountain God’s Word says “nothing will be impossible” so I believe it would move. I’m sure you have seen God move miraculously in your life. Although there is seldom a need to move a literal mountain, the wonders He performs are no less spectacular.
There was a Centurion, a man of position with servants and slaves and with authority over many, who came to Jesus because one of his servants was paralyzed and in great pain. He asked Jesus to help him. Jesus replied, “I will come and heal him.” But the Centurion said to Jesus, “I am not worthy that you should come to my home, just say the word, and my servant will be healed.” Jesus marveled at the faith of this man and sent him home to his servant who was healed by the Living Power filled spoken words of Jesus.
Knowing that God’s Word
is ALIVE, and coming to grips with the reality of what that means
will change your life immediately. You will never hold your Bible
the same again. Not only is His Word alive, it is physical. You
can hold it in your hand, read the words, and carry them with
you wherever you go.
