Late this week, there was tragic news out of Georgia, where I live, a common open fire at a CVS near the CDC and Emory University in Atlanta. Living in the South, I am brutally aware of Southerners’ strong convictions about the right to bear arms.
I know the confrontation you will face if you even hint at gun reform. Personally, I am not a big fan of firearms or their use. I also find this love of weaponry hypocritical of the conservative pro-life movement.
The Bible is clear that all life matters, regardless of being in the womb or outside of the womb, or being “legal” or “illegal.” The Bible also condemns violence and promotes peace (Psalm 11:5, Matthew 26:52-54). However, it is clear we live in a fallen world that isn’t seeking or doing God’s will, and that applies to the people of God:
- Loving others
- Forgiving others
- Putting others first
- Obeying God’s Word and ways
One of the biggest commands in both the Jewish and Christian faith is to obey God’s word (Exodus 19:5, John 14:15). However, like our Jewish forefathers, many believers have become experts in the law but failures at obeying and practicing it, myself included.
What sets God’s people apart from this fallen kingdom isn’t having knowledge about God’s Word, but applying it to how we live (Jeremiah 11:6, Matthew 7:24, James 1:22-27).
We often forget God’s Word is “Instructions for how we live our lives.” Part of the reason America and the world are in the shape they are is because many of God’s people pick and choose the parts of God’s word they like and disobey the parts that don’t (Exodus 19:5, Luke 11:28, Romans 5:19).
What Are Words
It is common to hear people say that “Words have power,” but that applies in many ways. As a writer, I understand the impact and potential of my words, which is why I choose to use them for causes I believe in and care about.
Word is defined as, “Something that is said or any segment of written or printed discourse ordinarily appearing between spaces. The expressed or manifested mind and will of God.”
Words can be written or verbal, depending on how we choose to communicate them. In modern times, media platforms also influence how we share our words. Words have been around since the beginning of creation in whatever format you choose.
As a Christian, I know the spiritual importance and origin of words (Genesis 1:1-31, John 1:1).
That is why the Bible or God’s word has a lot to say about words and their purposes (Psalm 119:105, Hebrews 4:12).
As believers who study God’s Word, we know it is alive and life-changing (Acts 7:38, Ephesians 5:26, Hebrews 4:12). God’s people understand it is holy as accurate and infallible (Psalm 12:6, 2 Peter 1:20-21). Fallen people get things wrong, but God’s Word never does.
Unfortunately, many believers are ignorant of God’s Word or misuse it for selfish gain (Romans 10:17, 1 Corinthians 1:18, Ephesians 6:17, Philippians 2:14-16, 2 Timothy 3:15-17, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 Peter 2:1-25). The apostles remembered their Jewish education about God’s Word and how He uses it to accomplish His divine will, not our selfish worldly desires.
Dāḇār
The Torah begins with God creating everything in the universe by simply speaking it by His divine word in power (Genesis 1:1-23). God spoke, and creation listened and obeyed their Master by coming into existence.
At least until Satan deceived mankind by twisting God’s Word into an earthly lie to make man happy (Genesis 3:1-18), that is how God designed the universe to work. He spoke and the creation, listened, and Satan and a third of the angels in heaven disobeyed God’s Word, and so did Adam.
The Hebrew word in the Old Testament for word is dāḇār, and it can also mean “Speech, utterance, or saying,” depending on the context it is used in. After the fall, God continued speaking to His creation and giving them instructions to follow (Genesis 3:11-24; 12:1-3, Exodus 24:12, Deuteronomy 5:4; 19:5).
Judaism emphasizes Scripture because it is God’s word on how they should live and be different from this fallen kingdom. That is why God gave His people the Hebrew Scriptures (Word):
- Torah
- Nevi’im
- Ketuvium
The New Testament writers return to this Jewish communication of words and doing (Matthew 5:16; 7:21-23, Luke 6:46, Romans 4:5, 1 Corinthians 4:16). Jesus is also identified as the Word of God in the flesh (John 1:1-8, Revelation 19:13).
Our Lord stated that He didn’t come to do away with the Law (God’s Word), but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). This is a reminder of a basic Jewish teaching to obey and do what Scripture says (Deuteronomy 11:28, Joshua 1:8, Psalm 19:8-13).
He emphasized if we love Him, we will keep and do his commands (John 14:15). Too many believers want to love and words, but not in deeds (1 Corinthians 13:1-13, James 2:14-26, 1 John 3:18). God’s Word must change our actions, not just our minds.
Fort Stewart
Earlier this week, there was another shooting in Georgia, not far from where I live. An active shooter at Fort Stewart brought his own weapon on base and shot five of his fellow soldiers and Americans.
Soldiers in America take an oath to protect the Constitution and to defend the United States against enemies both foreign and domestic. Clearly, the soldier’s words didn’t align with his actions.
These senseless shootings are obvious consequences of what happens when we don’t take our word or our actions seriously. Jesus warned His followers about watching for people’s fruits/actions instead of their words (Matthew 7:15-20)
If we obey God’s word, we shouldn’t have a lot of bad fruit (Matthew 7:18):
- Deception
- Greed
- Pride
- Murder
Bible study is not about getting head knowledge, is about understanding God’s Word to become more like God and less like this corrupt and fallen kingdom (Matthew 5:48).
Many believers have forgotten how we are called to be different from this world because they listen to an earthly king who is focused on earthly greatness and a temporary kingdom (Romans 12:2-4). The wisdom of God’s word shows us what really matters and how we should live. Our lives will be much different than the world if we listen to and obey God’s dāḇār!
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