Is the Bible the Word of God?

Obeying The Word

When God speaks, a Law is created that cannot be abrogated by anyone (Ps. 119:89); neither can anyone overthrow the purpose for which His Word is spoken (Isa. 55:10-11). Even the angels are directed in all their ways by the Word of God (Ps. 103:20). In any situation, all the time, God’s Word is right (Ps. 33:4; 119:105).

We humans are guided securely through this life only by the Word of God (Ps. 17:4; Isa. 30:21). Those seeking the truth about life need look no further than God’s Word, for God’s Word is truth itself (Jn. 17:17). God’s Word has been thoroughly tested through the ages, in the most difficult of circumstances (2Sam. 22:31; Ps. 18:30), and it has proved itself millions of times to be absolutely trustworthy.

The happy result of obedience to the Word of God is the possession of a testimony to His greatness. It is by such a testimony, along with the blood of the Lamb of God, that one overcomes this unbelieving world (Rev. 12:11).

Jesus said that those who hear the Word of God and do it are more blessed than Mary, his mother (Lk. 8:21). Such people are considered by the Lord to be his real family members (Lk. 11:27-28). But it is not in man to know the Word of God. We depend entirely upon the mercy of God to acquaint us with His voice, or Word. It is in this sense that the Bible states that the Word of God was “revealed” to Samuel (1Sam. 3:7, 21), the young child who was to spend his life faithfully delivering God’s Word to Israel. On the other hand, a human who unfaithfully communicates the Word of God, either by hiding it from others or by adding his own words to it, has sinned (Deut. 4:2).

Nature itself is moved by the Word that proceeds from God’s mouth (cp. Ps. 148:8; Jer. 22:29). Demons are cast out by the Word of God (Mt. 8:16). And humans who are graced with the privilege of receiving the Word are blessed beyond measure (e.g. Acts 10:44). So powerful is God’s Word that when a man hears it, faith and wisdom are created in the heart (Rom. 10:17). It is quite understandable that David should lie awake at night meditating with great joy upon the Word of God that had come to him (Ps. 119:148, 162). And it is no wonder that some surrendered their lives rather than deny the Word they had received from God (Rev. 6:9; 20:4).

We must, however, be aware that hearing the Word of God is worthless if obedience to the Word does not follow (Heb. 4:2; Jas. 1:22-23). Even listening to the Word with excitement is condemned if obedience does not follow (Ezek. 33:30-33). One of the tragic results of God’s children disobeying His Word is that those outside of the kingdom may be emboldened by their example to despise the Word of God (Tit. 2:5). Such children of God are considered worthy of death (Num. 15:31; 20:24; 1Kgs. 13:26; 20:35-36; 1Chron. 10:13; 2Chron. 34:21; Prov. 13:13; Isa. 5:24; Jer. 23:33-40; etc.).

People have the option of rejecting the Word of God and turning down God’s offer of eternal life (Mt. 13:1-23), but there are consequences, of course. The people of Israel did not believe God’s Word and were condemned to wander for forty long years in the wilderness (Ps. 106:24-26). God rejected Saul as Israel’s king because he rejected the Word which Samuel had spoken to him (1Sam. 15:23, 26), and the demon which God then sent upon Saul drove the pitiful king to insanity. Moses angered God with disbelief at His Word on one tragic occasion (Num. 11:23) and suffered a heart-breaking loss. Afflictions, we are informed, can teach us to obey the Word of God (Ps. 105:28; 119:67), and those who, like Moses, truly love the Word of God are perfected by His chastening love, as Moses was (1Jn. 2:5).