The Light

Finding Jesus to be the Word Himself, so many Scriptures suddenly take on a new light.

"A friend that sticketh closer than a brother" becomes tangible- the Words of the Bible, in my head and heart, there to guide, comfort, teach, and keep me. The more I listen to Him by reading His Words, the closer that friendship becomes.

Take this verse, for example- "If ye abide in me, [Bible] and my words abide in you..." By recognizing Him as His Words, the Bible, the key to faith is found.

"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Romans 10:17).

It also goes to show that the Bible is not merely to be read as a book of rules to follow.

As a child, I respected and trusted the Bible as the Truth, but failed to comprehend how vital it was. My mind was clouded with mystical, emotionally-based doctrines which painted God out as a tyrant, exacting a perfection of me that was impossible. Eventually, His words seemed cold, empty, and lifeless. Reading them became a "duty" to perform, necessary if I wanted to "be a good Christian".

Later on, I was hesitant to read the Scriptures for fear I would do them an injustice. It did not seem reverent to make token attempts, whilst bored or distracted. What could I get out of it, after all, when my reading was so often robotic?

And then one day I realized that I was focusing on myself, my weakness, instead of the power of God's Word, and not allowing for the fact that it is the Holy Spirit who is responsible for the work in my heart - not me. And that His work may be far different than I in my limited human thinking can see.

It is impossible for us to understand God's wisdom on our own. It requires that God Himself work those necessary changes in our hearts, giving us the desire to know  Him, and the wisdom to understand His Word. A Book, not only of salvation, but of His-story, science, human nature, things supernatural, and more. Things so unusual and fantastical that most preachers never seem to talk of them.

"But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul." (Deuteronomy 4:29)

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple" (Psalm 119:130)

"Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path". Psalm 119:105 matches John 12:36- "While ye have the light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light"...."I am the way, the truth, and the life".

Reading the Bible doesn't necessarily create some outstanding, short term change, but works a slow, gradually noticeable difference. Subtle, but steady and sure. And then God starts revealing things, and you realize that His Words are really and truly alive.

Most importantly, you begin seeing just how wonderful the Lord God is. His glorious attributes, beyond all human description. Yet also an infinitely gracious and loving Father to His children.

And this, through His Son- the Word, the Truth, and the Light.

"The truth of the Lord endureth forever"

"Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in heaven"

"Thy word is true from the beginning".

Psalm 117:2, 119:89, 119:160