The Redeeming Word

I was watching TV the other night when a commercial came on. The narrator said these words, "We all know words have power." That got my attention. I heard that and I couldn't help wonder to myself, "Do we really?" Do we really know how powerful our words can be? Do we know how powerful words in general, can be? After all, everything we see on a daily basis is the direct result of someone's words. God's. Genesis 1:1 says, "In the beginning, God created the Heavens and the Earth." John 1:1 says, "In the beginning was the Word. And the Word was WITH God and the Word WAS God." John goes on to say in John 1:2-5 that, "He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it."

The New International Readers Version says it this way, John 1:1-5, "In the beginning, the Word was already there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. All things were made through Him. Nothing that has been made was made without Him. Life was in Him, and that life was the light for all people. The light shines in the darkness. But the darkness has not overcome the light."

Who is "He" that John is talking about here? What is this "Word" that was both with God and God Himself? Jesus. So, basically what John is saying here is, "In the beginning was JESUS. And JESUS was WITH God and JESUS WAS God. Everything that was made, was made THROUGH JESUS." Words are INDEED powerful! And the greatest word of them all is the Name that is above EVERY OTHER name. Jesus. There IS NO word or name greater than HIS Name!

"We all know words are powerful"? Do we really? Do we really know how powerful HIS Words are? Do we really know how powerful OUR words are? God created the Heavens and the Earth with His Word. IN THE BEGINNING was THE Word! John goes on to say in John 1:14, "And the Word BECAME FLESH and dwelt among us." The Word that made everything we see all around us, became flesh. The Word became ONE of us. And WE are HIS creation.

Genesis 1:27-28, "So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”

WE are made in HIS IMAGE! His LIKENESS! We are made after HIM! Now that don't mean that everytime you look in the mirror, you're seeing God face to face. It's not our OUTWARD form that is made in His image. No. Remember what Jesus said in John 4:24, "God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth."

Now, I remember a translation of this passage reading it this way, "God is Spirit and is SEEKING those who will worship Him in Spirit and in Truth." Notice how that has changed? But the point I'm getting at is God IS SPIRIT! So, if we are made in His image and His likeness, then it is our SPIRIT that is made that way. Not our flesh. Remember the flesh is cursed? Has been ever since man fell in the Garden of Eden when he ate of the forbidden fruit. So, why would God let His image be reflected in something that is cursed?

But the Bible says we are made in His image AND His likeness. That means we are not only the reflection of God in the World, but we are like Him in this world. But it's hard to see the similarities when you're engaged in sin and faithlessness, isn't it? But when you get in His Word, and you practice His Word in your daily life, and you live out His Word, the very image and likeness of God will begin to shine forth! People will start seeing God in you! People will see God's hand on you! And yes, people who are without God in their life will become angry with you because the sinful spirits that are on them will sense the GOD in you!

Do we really know how powerful the WORD is? Hebrews 4:12-16, "For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account. Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest Who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need."