A THOUGHT FOR THE DAY
by Given O. Blakely
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THINGS ACCOMPLISHED THROUGH GOD'S WORD
 We are born again by the Word of God
    God speaks clearly on this subject. "Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your
souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been
born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and abiding
word of God" (1 Peter 1:22-23). Again it is written, "In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by
the word of truth, so that we might be, as it were, the first fruits among His creatures" (James 1:18).
Divine life cannot be given to the individual apart from the Word of God! It is not enough to adjust our
lifestyle; we must be "born again" to "see" or "enter" the kingdom of God (John 3:3,5). And how does
that happen? Is it a matter of mechanics or routine? God forbid! The Word of God must enter into your
thinking processes--down into your heart. That is another way of saying you think upon what God has
said, pondering His words in your heart, and letting them dominate your mind. Referring to this process,
Jesus said, "Let these words sink into your ears . . . " (Luke 9:44). God's Word, if received, will produce
Divine life within. It becomes the Divinely appointed means of transforming you, recreating you in His
precise image (Col 3:10).
Living by the Word of God
     Here is an aspect of the Word of God that is rarely embraced. Myriads of professed
believers vainly suppose they can remain "Christians" with the Bible closed and their minds shut
to its glories. This is what makes Scriptural illiteracy so serious! It is a sign of spiritual death!
Once again, the Lord has spoken succinctly on this subject. His declaration spans both
covenants, being uttered from Sinai and Mount Zion; the earth and the heavenly Jerusalem.
Hear it once again! "And He humbled you and let you be hungry, and fed you with manna
which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that He might make you understand
that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by everything that proceeds out of
the mouth of the LORD" (Deut 8:3).  This is the passage Jesus quoted to the devil when
tempted to turn stones into bread. "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by
every word that proceeds from the mouth of God'" (Matt 4:4). Luke states it powerfully in
His Gospel. "It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God'"
(Luke 4:4). A professed believer that is basically ignorant of the Word of God is not alive to
God. Such an one is desensitized to God and is alienated in his mind. If we are to believe this
word, we can come to no other conclusion!
Faith comes by hearing the Word of God
     In a powerful affirmation of the centrality of the Gospel, Paul declared this truth. "But
how are men to call upon him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to
believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without a
preacher? And how can men preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How
beautiful are the feet of those who preach good news!" But they have not all obeyed the
gospel; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith
comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes by the preaching of Christ" (Rom
10:14-17, RSV). Note that the phrase "Word of God" (KJV) is here translated "Word of
Christ." That is a proper rendering of the text. The emphasis of Romans the tenth chapter is
the presentation of the good news of Jesus Christ. That message is the vehicle through which
faith comes to the individual. This why the feet of those bearing such glad tidings are beautiful.
They have provided for the entrance of saving faith! No Gospel, no faith! You can organize a
calling team, develop expert presentations, and spend a lot of time in prayer. But if the Gospel
is not proclaimed, there will be no faith, no response, no incessant call upon the name of the
Lord!
Sharper than any two-edged sword
     The Word of God reaches where mere human words cannot penetrate. It is
living and active, always productive in the Kingdom of our God. It only needs to be
proclaimed to go to work! Those that close their mouths about God's Word place it in a
powerless sheath! How powerfully God speaks on this matter. "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, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the
thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Heb 4:12). See how precise and focused the
Word works! It can distinguish between the soul and the spirit--a delineation that cannot
otherwise be made! Man is a tripartite being--composed of three parts. Listed in the
order of their priority they are "spirit, soul, and body" (1 Thess 5:23). The body is the
seen part. The spirit and the soul are unseen. What is the difference between these
unseen parts? Men have long debated and philosophized over the issue. Briefly stated,
the soul remains part of the fallen nature. It is capable of dwelling in the nether regions
of sin, or rising into heavenly places. It is under the control of the spirit, which is
regenerated in Christ. Suffice it to say, much of the religion of our time is soulish--
anchored in emotion rather than faith, and feeling rather than cognition. If the Word of
God is proclaimed, it will decipher between these two unseen parts. It will distinguish
between the part of us that has been born again, and that which is not. How powerful is
the Word of the Almighty God? Wherever it is believed and embraced, dramatic
change occurs. Thoughts are altered, motives are elevated, and insight is sharpened.
     The individual that takes the Word of God seriously will begin to live differently. The
focus of life is changed, as well as the reason for living. Self is no longer at the center
of ones existence. Armed with a sense of the temporality of this world, preparations for
the next world are made. The prospect of confronting the God that made us provokes
sober contemplations. The Word of God has produced these changes by reaching into
the citadel of the human spirit.
(More on this subject tomorrow)
KEEP ALERT. THE NEW WORD OF TRUTH WEBSITE
IS TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON.
In joyful expectation of glory,
Given O. Blakely