What is the Word? Some say it is the Christ Himself, some say it is the “whole of divine revelation” and some say it is the Gospel message. There is agreement however, that this Word is an instrument of disclosure and exposure.
Hebrews 4:12a, 13
For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, . . . Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.
My first image is that of Adam and Eve who are the first to experience the penetrating power of “the Word.” Not long after the eating of the notorious “apple,” God comes seeking them in the garden, calling out even, “Where are you?” They hide. We are still trying to hide today.
People smile at the ludicrous behavior of Adam and Eve, after all, how can they expect to hide from their all-knowing, all-seeing God? And yet, we believe we can cover up our own sins, thoughts, and actions. We put fig leafs on our brains and our hearts.
I think God knows all along what is happening within. The real problem is getting Human to face the truth of ourselves.
People have asked me why we should bother to pray if God knows everything and I maintain that prayer is really about our own discoveries. What is important? What is a hindrance? Where are we kidding ourselves? What is the desire of the heart?
Sometimes, God uses the Christ through the Holy Spirit to cut through the bull crap with a sword — the sword of truth. Like the “refining fire” that burns up the dross of our hearts, so the sword must sometimes cut away the dead stuff that prevents us from growing and healing. Like irrigating an infected the wound, it may hurt in the process, but the repair will move more swiftly later on.
Lord, I embrace your Word and your Sword.
I so enjoy reading your thoughts and insights in your blog. One possibility is Adam and Eve were hiding (in fear) of God because then they would have known God, the divine, Christ, Jesus, or whatever you wish to call it. That’s what people are still genuinely afraid of today, knowing Christ, God, Jesus, the divine. For it means giving up every belief you’ve ever had, giving up your entire thought system, and that’s scary. It’s the door, the way, the path we all long for and seek, but we are terrified of it, although it’s our way home, as the prodigal son. We fear knowing the divinre, though we long for it with all of our being. For if we saw or knew the divine, then just maybe, there is no other, no opposite, and it includes all without condition, and just maybe, we are greater than we think we are, and that is an inheritance that truly frightens us.
And of course, the longer we hide, the harder it gets to “unhide.” Thanks for adding your thoughts. ib
Hi and thanks for a lovely post. It’s so true that some of us do succumb to pressure and fear and deviate from the truth. But the redeeming part is that if we confess and own-up with sincerity – God does forgive.
Kind regards.
Thanks for your comment. I am so ever grateful for grace and forgiveness too. ib