The Word of God Lives and Abides Forever

When God completed His Book we call the Bible, He put His stamp on it that says it will never change - ever:  "The Word of God Lives and Abides Forever!"

This is such great news for us.  We all know man has tampered with it through generations with private interpretations, "extra, extra read all about it," kind of stuff.

Paul wrote in I Corinthians 2 that the Holy Spirit reveals the things of God, not on natural lines, but by the Spirit of the Living God now dwelling in our hearts.

When Satan had his way in the garden with Adam and Eve and the creation of God fell into his grip, man had something happen to him that is more than the word, "awful."

Man became flesh, indwelt by sin of Satanic origin.  Romans 5 describes this so well as sin and death spread to all men through Adam.  Romans 5 also tells us the glory of God in Christ as the last "Adam," - the new race God created.  We, who believe the Gospel, are now indwelt by God's Holy Son through God's Spirit.

As I look back on my life, I can now see more clearly how we missed the mark of how we are to walk on this earth.  I see more clearly that flesh and blood has tried to produce holiness for God  in human ability instead of God's prescribed way.

Flesh is corrupt no matter how man tries to dress it up.  It's always been that way since the fall.  Sin still dwells in the mortal body - in the members.  Romans 7 is clear about this.  But what also is clear is that God's Son now dwells in our hearts through faith.   (Ephesians 3)

Jesus Christ was born of God in Mary's womb - not of human origin but by the Spirit of God.  He was born sinless and lived sinless.  He only bore our sins in His body so that God would judge the old creation once and for all.  He was raised by God because He was the sinless Lamb - He only bore ours.

Therefore God announced a new way of living in Romans 6.  He said we are to reckon ourselves dead to sin - the old creation and only alive to God in Christ Jesus.  Jesus Christ is STILL the perfect Person living in our hearts.  God is saying to us that if we look at Him and learn His life - (a/k/a "The Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus), we will bear fruit.  We also will come to know the fruit of His Spirit in and through us.

Flesh can't pull it off - it never will.   Not only that but all flesh is enmity with God - it is not subject to God nor can it be.  Flesh is NEVER about faith  - it's always about man striving.  If I am "trying" to do it - I don't apply faith - I only become a maniac trying harder.

Once we realize we really are to live a life of faith looking at Christ day by day, moment by moment - we will experience joy and freedom.  Freedom from sin - freedom to allow our Lord to be the Lord of all things in our lives - freedom from fear that we are displeasing Him.  How can God possibly be displeased if we are placing our faith, our trust in His Son in us?  And remember Christ is STILL the PERFECT MAN - He is the Perfect Life and He lives in us.  This is why I get the privilege of looking to Him. 

We must also remember that Christ NEVER leads anyone to sin - He only leads by His life which is precious, pure, fruitful, full of light and love.  Therefore no one is ever wrong looking at Jesus Christ to be their life.  And remember flesh ALWAYS WANTS to sin.  This is why we are called to reckon ourselves dead to sin and ALIVE to Jesus Christ.  There is NO OTHER WAY for living out righteousness.

One of the reasons I believe we do not go ahead and take God's way is because of fear.  To do this means we indeed lose control - flesh does not want to be put in its place - flesh does not want to go the way of the cross.  Instead flesh wants to rather be a nice person and do good deeds yet still have control.   So even if I am trying to "serve" God through my flesh, it's got "flesh" all over it.

Reckoning ourselves dead means there is nothing of me (that is, my flesh) that will ever please God or satisfy Him.  Faith says "Hallelujah, the Lord has done it and will do it in me!"  And true faith KNOWS that the real self we are looking for is found in Jesus Christ.  We will not have to "act" out the Christian life - instead we will indeed experience TRUE LIFE and the Person who is that life!  We will have precious fellowship with Someone WHO loves us and gave Himself for us.  Our works will be His.

Faith truly is simple.  We don't have to strive at this.  We simply agree with God's Word and then enjoy resting in the Lord.  What we are saying is that HE is FAITHFUL.  Let's not start "working on" reckoning ourselves dead.  God has declared that Faith is rest in the Lord Jesus - our Savior, our Life, our Lord dwelling in our hearts.

Why then is it good news that the Word of God lives and abides forever and does not change?  Because no matter how long we were walking down the wrong path or how ignorant we truly were of God's way, He invites us to come.  He invites us no matter what age to learn of Christ in us, to do things His way.  Whenever we turn to the Lord, we find Him gracious, always merciful and kind, and willing to lead us Home.   God's Word is not a respecter of persons - in other words, we can come and discover God's Truth, even if the hour is late in our lives.    "Thank you, Lord!"

Sue Gaither