https://youtu.be/iBIv7h5J9Hc

“Are You Legit?”

Hebrews 4:12-13 New King James Version (NKJV)

12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.

The above Scripture speaks directly to the disobedient generation of Israelites, connecting verse 11 “Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience” v. 12-13 are a warning demonstration of the necessity for compliance with the exhortation uttered Hebrews 4:11. Many have used this as a stand alone verse speaking to the power of the Word of God, but this is speaking directly to the power of God’s Word to CORRECT and bring forth legitimate sons and daughters of the Lord, those who have all the rights and authority of sonship, unlike that disobedient and rebellious generation.

The Scripture says that we then are to be “diligent to enter that rest”. How? Not by the disobedience of that rebellious generation, but by obeying the Word of God. His Word is a double-edged sword, sharp and precise as a surgeon’s scalpel- cutting away that which offends God and has potential to do us harm.

For the word of God – It is NOT a ref to Jesus as the “Logos”. “The Word made flesh”, but rather the translation is “the Word that God speaks.”  The "Word of God" is "what God speaks" - whether it be a promise or a threatening; whether it be Law or gospel; whether it be a simple declaration or a statement of a doctrine. The idea here is, that what "God has said" is suited to detect hypocrisy and to lay open the true nature of the feelings of the soul, so that there can be no escape for the guilty. His "truth" is adapted to bring out our real feelings, and to show man exactly what he is. I LOVE His Word- it is the power to transform

James 1:22 New King James Version (NKJV)

22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 

Truth always has this power - whether preached, or read, or communicated by conversation, or impressed upon the memory and conscience by the Holy Spirit. There can be no escape from the penetrating, searching application of the Word of God. The truth has power to show what man is, and is like a penetrating sword that lays open the whole man

We cannot escape the notice of God; all insincerity, unbelief, hypocrisy, will be detected by Him; and since our hearts are perfectly open before him, we should be sincere and should not attempt to deceive Him. The truth of God is all-penetrating and searching, and the real thoughts and intents of the heart will be brought to light, and if there is insincerity and self-deception there can be no hope of escape.

The Word is quick - Greek ζῶν zōn - "living." It is not dead and powerless. It has a "living" power, and is energetic and active. It is "adapted" to produce this very effect.

And powerful - Mighty. Its power is seen in awakening the conscience; alarming the fears; laying bare the secret feelings of the heart, and causing the sinner to tremble with the apprehension of the coming judgment.

Sharper than any two-edged sword - Literally, "two-mouthed" sword - The word "mouth" was given to the sword because it seemed to "devour" all before it. It consumed or destroyed as a lion consumes its prey. The comparison of the Word of God to a sword,