The Power of Words and the Word of God
The Power of Words
The sheer power of words has been highlighted by the two mass shootings in El Paso, Texas and Dayton, Ohio in America. Some have blamed the anti-immigrant rhetoric of President Donald Trump for fuelling violence and racism. Others disagree. On 7th August 2019 the BBC American correspondent Jon Sopel said,
"In America today problems of hate, of guns and of racism are as intractable as ever"
One of the posters of the protesters in El Paso read as follows:
"Your words have consequences"
The Bible agrees. Jesus said,
"By your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned" (Matthew 12 v 37).
Words can be used for tremendous evil. The online grooming of children is an abhorrent evil as is also the hateful, racist language by the so called white supremacists.
Hate crimes such as Islamaphobia and anti-Semitism are on the increase and should be strongly condemned.
Words can also be used for tremendous good. The most powerful words that we can say as individuals to someone else is "I love you". These words are central to God's gospel or good news to humanity - John 3 v 16.
The Apostle Paul emphasised the vital importance of words in confessing Christ as Lord and Saviour - Romans 10 v 9 says,
" If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved"
The Word of God - In Creation.
"In America today problems of hate, of guns and of racism are as intractable as ever"
One of the posters of the protesters in El Paso read as follows:
"Your words have consequences"
The Bible agrees. Jesus said,
"By your words you shall be justified and by your words you shall be condemned" (Matthew 12 v 37).
Words can be used for tremendous evil. The online grooming of children is an abhorrent evil as is also the hateful, racist language by the so called white supremacists.
Hate crimes such as Islamaphobia and anti-Semitism are on the increase and should be strongly condemned.
Words can also be used for tremendous good. The most powerful words that we can say as individuals to someone else is "I love you". These words are central to God's gospel or good news to humanity - John 3 v 16.
The Apostle Paul emphasised the vital importance of words in confessing Christ as Lord and Saviour - Romans 10 v 9 says,
" If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved"
The Word of God - In Creation.
Let us consider the following two statements:
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1 v 1).
"In the beginning there was a big bang"
Which of these two statements ring true to you?
The Bible teaches that the universe and it's trillions of stars were all made by the Word of God (Psalm 33 v 6). In Genesis chapter 1 the please "God said" comes up nine times.
According to Colossians 1 v 17 the whole universe is held together by the power and Word of God.
The Incarnate Word of God
Jesus is God in the flesh (John 1 v 14)
If we look at Jesus we look at God (John 14 v 9).
The early Apostles preached the Word. This refers to both the gospel and Jesus Himself. The two are inseparable. Jesus used words to show the love of God, to heal, to set free and to save (Luke 4 verses 18 and 19).
Conclusion- The three "NEVERS"
NEVER in the history of the world have words been so important. The advent of social media and technological advances in communication have given words paramount significance.
NEVER in the history of the world has the written Word of God - the Bible - been so vital. The Bible sheds light on the dark world (Psalm 119 v 105. It points also to the Lord Jesus Christ - the Lord and Saviour of us all who died on a cross and rose again so that we can all enjoy God's presence for ever.
NEVER in the history of the world has knowledge of the Living Word - the Lord Jesus Christ - been so essential. As the Apostle says "He that has the Son has life and he that has not the Son of God has not life" (1 John 5 v 12).
"In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth" (Gen. 1 v 1).
"In the beginning there was a big bang"
Which of these two statements ring true to you?
The Bible teaches that the universe and it's trillions of stars were all made by the Word of God (Psalm 33 v 6). In Genesis chapter 1 the please "God said" comes up nine times.
According to Colossians 1 v 17 the whole universe is held together by the power and Word of God.
The Incarnate Word of God
Jesus is God in the flesh (John 1 v 14)
If we look at Jesus we look at God (John 14 v 9).
The early Apostles preached the Word. This refers to both the gospel and Jesus Himself. The two are inseparable. Jesus used words to show the love of God, to heal, to set free and to save (Luke 4 verses 18 and 19).
Conclusion- The three "NEVERS"
NEVER in the history of the world have words been so important. The advent of social media and technological advances in communication have given words paramount significance.
NEVER in the history of the world has the written Word of God - the Bible - been so vital. The Bible sheds light on the dark world (Psalm 119 v 105. It points also to the Lord Jesus Christ - the Lord and Saviour of us all who died on a cross and rose again so that we can all enjoy God's presence for ever.
NEVER in the history of the world has knowledge of the Living Word - the Lord Jesus Christ - been so essential. As the Apostle says "He that has the Son has life and he that has not the Son of God has not life" (1 John 5 v 12).