The Word of God

From: Twelve Letters to Young Believers By: Edward B. Dennett

Word of God, The: Letters to Young Believers

• 11 min. read • grade level: 8

My Dear —:

It is impossible to lay too much stress upon the importance and value of the Word of God. Love for it, indeed, should be a characteristic of every believer; and it were not too much to say that our growth in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, is largely connected with it. Take for example Psalm 119, and you will see how it is bound up with every phase of the spiritual life of the psalmist. Some of his expressions might well humble us, as they reveal to us the place the Word occupied in his affections. He says, “I will delight myself in Thy statutes: I will not forget Thy Word,” again, “Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors,” and again, “I will delight myself in Thy commandments, which I have loved” (Psalm 119:16, 24, 47¹⁶I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word. (Psalm 119:16)
²⁴Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counsellors. (Psalm 119:24)
⁴⁷And I will delight myself in thy commandments, which I have loved. (Psalm 119:47)). In still stronger language he exclaims, “O how love I Thy law! it is my meditation all the day,” and once more, “I love Thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold” (Psalm 119:97, 127⁹⁷MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. (Psalm 119:97)
¹²⁷Therefore I love thy commandments above gold; yea, above fine gold. (Psalm 119:127)). Job, in like manner says, “I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food” (Job 23:12¹²Neither have I gone back from the commandment of his lips; I have esteemed the words of his mouth more than my necessary food. (Job 23:12)). And from that time to this the same characteristic has ever been found in all earnest, devout, and spiritual minds. I propose then to bring before you in this letter some of the many aspects in which the Word of God is presented, in relation to the believer.

1. It is the instrumentality of the new birth. “Of His own will begat He us with the Word of truth.” (James 1:18¹⁸Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18)). “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (1 Peter 1:23²³Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. (1 Peter 1:23)). Our Lord teaches the same truth when He says that “a man must be born of water and the Spirit” (John 3); for water is a well-known symbol of the Word.

2. As it is the instrumentality of the new birth, so is it also the proper aliment for the new nature. Peter thus says: “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word, that ye may grow thereby,” (many copies add, “up to salvation”); “if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious” (1 Peter 2:2-3²As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby: ³If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. (1 Peter 2:2‑3)). Again we are told that “man doth not live by bread only, but by every word which proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live” (Deut. 8:3³And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3); Matt. 4:4⁴But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4)). The Word therefore is the suited food and sustenance for the spiritual life, the means of our nourishment and strength in Christ, as we journey on through the wilderness, waiting for the Lord's return, or to depart and be with Himself, which is far better. I say in Christ, because, as you know, Christ Himself is our food, both as the manna and the old corn of the land, and indeed, to go further back, as the lamb roast with fire (Ex. 12); but then it is only in the word of God that He is unfolded to us thus in these several characters. If we would collect the manna for our daily use, we have to roam through the gospels and epistles, where we find Him especially presented to us in this aspect—as a humbled Christ in incarnation; and then, if I would feed upon Him as the old corn of the land, upon a glorified Christ, I am led to the epistles (for example, Col. 3; Phil. 3), which present Him as such to our souls. The Scriptures therefore are the green pastures into which the Good Shepherd would lead His flock.

3. It is our only guide. “Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path” (Psa. 119:105¹⁰⁵NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Psalm 119:105)). So, when Joshua was about to lead Israel into Canaan, the Lord said unto him, “Only be thou strong and very courageous that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses My servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success” (Josh. 1:7-8⁷Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. ⁸This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (Joshua 1:7‑8)). So in the New Testament, as well as in the Old, the Word of God is everywhere indicated as our only guide as we pass through this tangled scene.

“Pillar of fire, through watches dark,

And radiant cloud by day;

When waves would whelm our tossing bark,

Our anchor and our stay.”

(See Acts 20:32³²And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified. (Acts 20:32); 2 Thess. 3:14¹⁴And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. (2 Thessalonians 3:14); 2 Tim. 3:15-17¹⁵And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: ¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:15‑17); 2 Peter 1:15¹⁵Moreover I will endeavor that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance. (2 Peter 1:15); 1 John 2:27²⁷But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27); Jude 3³Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints. (Jude 3))

4. It is our means of defense against the temptations and wiles of Satan; hence it is called the sword of the Spirit (Eph. 6:17¹⁷And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)). We thus see in the temptation of our blessed Lord that it was His only weapon. To all the allurements which Satan presented to His soul—and he assailed Him through every avenue of approach, and in every character—He replied, “It is written.” From first to last, He never expressed a thought of His own, but rested for His defense entirely and alone upon the Word of God. Satan consequently was utterly powerless; he could not advance a single step; but, defeated at every point, he had to retire baffled and overcome. And he is as powerless today as then, when encountered in the same way. He cannot touch an obedient, dependent man. Would that every young believer, indeed all, whether young or old, might always bear it in mind!

5. It is the only standard of doctrine or practice. We have therefore to test everything presented to us by the Word. Thus in the letters to the seven churches we find in every case, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith to the churches.” They and their practices were alike to be measured by this infallible standard. In like manner, the Apostle Paul continually reminds those to whom he writes of their responsibility of gauging everything by what he had taught. (See, for example, Gal. 1:8-9⁸But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. ⁹As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:8‑9); 1 Cor. 15:1-11¹Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ²By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: ⁵And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: ⁶After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. ⁷After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. ⁸And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. ⁹For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. ¹⁰But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. ¹¹Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed. (1 Corinthians 15:1‑11); 2 Thess. 2:15; 3:14¹⁵Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (2 Thessalonians 2:15)
¹⁴And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. (2 Thessalonians 3:14).)

6. It is the means of our practical holiness. Our Lord thus prays, when He presented His own before the Father: “Sanctify them through Thy truth: Thy Word is truth” (John 17:17¹⁷Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. (John 17:17)). It is only indeed by constant application of the Word to ourselves, our walk, and our ways, that we are increasingly separated from evil; just as it is by the application of the Word through the Spirit that the Lord, as our Advocate with the Father, washes the feet of His own. This is the work which He in His grace has undertaken for us; but we must never forget the responsibility on our side of continually judging ourselves by the Word in the presence of God. How many a trial and chastening would be spared us if we were more faithful in this particular!

“For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged” (1 Cor. 11:31³¹For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (1 Corinthians 11:31)). Thus the psalmist asks, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” And the answer is, “By taking heed thereto according to Thy Word” (Psa. 119:9⁹BETH. Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. (Psalm 119:9)). Again he says, “By the word of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer” (Psa. 17:4⁴Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer. (Psalm 17:4)). For it is only from the Scripture that we learn the will of God; and by the application of the Word in the power of the Spirit we are separated, on the one side, from that which is contrary to His mind, and we are brought, on the other, into conformity with it; and this being a constant process, we are ever attaining increasing holiness, the perfection of which is only found in the glorified Christ at God's right hand.

7. Last of all, I would remind you of the value which the Lord sets upon obedience to the Word. Take, for instance, the familiar scripture, “If any man love Me, he will keep My Word: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23²³Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. (John 14:23)). See how large a blessing is made dependent upon our keeping His Word; for it should never be overlooked that the love of the Father in this passage, and the Father and the Son coming to make their abode with us, are entirely conditional. Again, in the next chapter, He says, “If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love; even as I have kept My Father's commandments, and abide in His love” (John 15:10¹⁰If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (John 15:10)). Once more, not to multiply citations, at the very close of the inspired record He says, “Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book” (Rev. 22:7⁷Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book. (Revelation 22:7)). Thus He not only expects us to prize and treasure up the communications which He has deigned to make to us; but He also counts upon our hearts to delight in obedience to every Word that has proceeded out of His mouth; yea, He has made obedience to be the highest expression of our love. “If ye love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15¹⁵If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)).

From this rapid outline of some of the uses, and some of our responsibilities in respect of the Word of God, you will at least recognize its supreme importance to the believer. Allow me, then, to make one or two practical observations which may be helpful to you and other young Christians. First of all, you will see the necessity of being familiar with the Scriptures. For instance, I could not repel a temptation, as the Saviour did, unless I were acquainted with the scripture wherewith to meet it. In like manner, there might be many cases in which I should be led astray simply from not knowing that the Lord had revealed His mind in His Word. One of the first obligations, therefore, of the believer is to study the Word of God. “My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; so that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; if thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of His mouth cometh knowledge and understanding” (Prov. 2:1-6¹My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; ²So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; ³Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; ⁴If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; ⁵Then shalt thou understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. ⁶For the Lord giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding. (Proverbs 2:1‑6)). In this spirit you must search and systematically study the Scriptures, if you would be “throughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:17¹⁷That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:17)). I do not say, Read no other book; but I do say, Make the Bible your chief companion, and confine yourself as much as possible to those books which help you to understand it; for it should be the chief aim of every believer to be thoroughly conversant with the mind and will of God. Secondly, let me counsel you, if you read much, to meditate more. “The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting” (Prov. 12:27²⁷The slothful man roasteth not that which he took in hunting: but the substance of a diligent man is precious. (Proverbs 12:27)). He finds his pleasure in the chase, and once finding, obtaining, he is satisfied. It is thus with many in reading the Word. Their delight is in the acquisition of truth; and in this they rest, and thereby lose the blessing. In the scripture already cited, the Lord said to Joshua, “This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night” (See also Psa. 1:2; 119:97²But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. (Psalm 1:2)
⁹⁷MEM. O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day. (Psalm 119:97); Prov. 22:17-18¹⁷Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge. ¹⁸For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. (Proverbs 22:17‑18); 1 Tim. 4:15¹⁵Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (1 Timothy 4:15)). For it is in meditation in the presence of the Lord that the sweetness, beauty, and power of the Word are unfolded to us. Never, therefore, lose an opportunity for meditation on the scripture you may read. And, lastly, always remember your entire dependence upon the Spirit of God for the understanding of the Word. “For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God” (1 Cor. 2:11-12¹¹For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. ¹²Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11‑12)).

If you thus read the Scriptures, you will be led daily into increasing acquaintance with the truth, and thereby be drawn into closer fellowship with the Father and His Son Jesus Christ.

Believe me, dear —,

Yours affectionately in Christ,

E. D.

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