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Wednesday, August 16, 2023

THE WORD CUTS. BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT

 THE WORD CUTS BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT


The Book of Hebrews is a marvelous masterpiece of theological writing, and appears different from the other writings found in the New Testament. It is more of a theological treatise. It is homiletical in style. There is a disagreement among scholars regarding the authorship of Hebrews. Some believe it was written by the Apostle Paul, others venture to say that its author cannot be determined with certainty. Notwithstanding this issue, the  inspired writer of Hebrews  declares that God’s Word is not an ordinary piece of writing or literature. 


God’s Word is alive. 


The fourth chapter of Hebrews states : “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (verse 12). 


To the soul regenerated by the saving Grace of God through Christ, the truth and objective reality of this statement is unmistakable.


The Word of God (Scripture) is God’s revelation to us humans. We would never know anything about God unless He reveals Himself to us through  human means of communication. Our primary exposure is through His written Word, the Bible. We learn in Scripture that the Word of God is alive and active—it not only lives but works. 


The Word of God is alive because God is a living God (Hebrews 3:12). Jesus said, “The very words I have spoken to you are spirit and life” (John 6:63, NLT). In the parable of the sower, Jesus compared God’s Word to seed (Matthew 13:1–23). Seed, like the Word, is a living organism that, when spread and planted in fertile soil, produces abundant life.


Christians are made alive spiritually and eternally because they are “born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God” (1 Peter 1:23). 


Believers “enter God’s eternal rest” (receive God’s free gift of salvation by grace through faith alone and not by self-effort, Ephesians 2:8–9) through the life-giving power of God’s Word. This truth is the main point the writer of Hebrews has been driving home in the previous verses (Hebrew 4:1–11), that no one can enter God’s true rest except those in whom God’s message has taken deep root and complete control. God does the work of salvation by the power of His Word when we submit to God’s dominion and trust Him to save us through Christ’s sacrifice on the cross.


The Word of God is active. The term active in Hebrews 4:12 means “effective, powerful, producing or capable of producing an intended result.” 


The Word of God is vibrant, dynamic, energizing, and productive. It is not static or idle in the lives of genuine believers. The apostle Paul explained that the Word of God is “at work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).


God’s Word is powerful, not only to give life, but also to deliver warnings and bring judgment and punishment to the disobedient: “Is not my Word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?” (Jeremiah 23:29, ESV).


God’s living Word is not something to read or listen to passively and then forget. James taught Christians to look “intently into the perfect law that gives freedom” and to focus on it by doing what it says (James 1:23–25). 


St. Paul proclaims, “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17, NLT). If we let God’s message do its work deep inside, it will change our character and behavior.


Astonishing, life-generating things happen when God’s Word goes forth. It is fully capable of accomplishing its purpose: “The rain and snow come down from the heavens and stay on the ground to water the earth. They cause the grain to grow, producing seed for the farmer and bread for the hungry. It is the same with my word. I send it out, and it always produces fruit. It will accomplish all I want it to, and it will prosper everywhere I send it” (Isaiah 55:11, NLT). 


On the Day of Pentecost, when Peter preached the message of salvation in Jesus Christ, those who heard it “were cut to the heart” (Acts 2:37), and about three thousand people were saved (Acts 2:41).


The author of Hebrews described the Word of God as “sharper than any double-edged sword.” Paul called it “the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God” (Ephesians 6:17). This sword imagery also appears in Isaiah 49:2, Revelation 1:16, and Revelation 2:12. 


As a sharp, double-bladed sword, the Word of God is our definitive offensive weapon against the assaults of a spiritual enemy. When Satan tempted our Lord in the wilderness, Jesus wielded the sword of God’s Word to counter the devil’s attacks, saying, “It is written…” (Matthew 4:4).

WONDERFUL THINGS

 WONDERFUL THINGS TO SEE


“Open my eyes that I may behold wonderful things from your law.”

- Psalm 119:18


1 There are wonderful things in the WORD of God (Bible)


2 No one can see these wonderful things for what they really are without God’s supernatural help.


3 We must pray to God for supernatural illumination when we read the Bible.


4 You will not be able to fully comprehend the Living Word of God unless you have personal relationship with Jesus Christ the Author, by believing on Him and trusting Him as your Lord and Savior. 


For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! (Ephesians 5:8)


I ask that your minds may be opened to see his light, so that you will know what is the hope to which he has called you, how rich are the wonderful blessings he promises his people,(Ephesians 1:18)


For God so loved the world that he gave[a] his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn[b] the world, but that the world might be saved through him.

- John 3:16-17 (NABRE)

TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE IN THE BIBLE

 TESTIMONIAL EVIDENCE 


Rules of Court (PhLaw)


All persons who can perceive and perceiving can make known their perception to others may be witnesses. (Section 20 Rule 130  Rules of  Court)


A witness can testify only to those facts which he knows of his personal knowledge that is which are derived from his own perception …(Section 36) 


In the rules of evidence in Philippine law, personal knowledge refers to actual and direct knowledge of facts related to a case or issue under consideration, acquired through the use of one's own senses or perception. Personal knowledge is usually required for testimony to be admissible as evidence in court.   Under Section 36 of Rule 130 of the Rules of Court of the Philippines, a witness may testify only to those facts that they know of their personal knowledge. Personal knowledge means that the witness themselves actually perceived, or experienced, or otherwise directly witnessed the event in question. A witness who has no personal knowledge of the facts may not testify as to those facts. 


The Bible (NLT) Record of testimonies about the Lord Jesus Christ.


We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning,[a] whom we have HEARD and SEEN. 


We SAW him with OUR OWN EYES and TOUCHED him with our OWN HANDS. 


He is the Word of life. 2 This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have SEEN him. 


And now we TESTIFY and PROCLAIM  to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.


3 We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually SEEN and HEARD so that you may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 


4 We are writing these things so that you may fully share our joy. 1John 1:1-4 (Capitalized supplied) 


When we told you about the power and the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we were NOT TELLING CLEVER STORIES  someone had made up. But with OUR OWN EYES we SAW his true greatness.

-2 Peter 1:16 


THE DEFENSE OF. ST. PAUL THE APOSTLE AND LAWYER BEFORE THE COURT OF KING AGRIPPA:


26 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You have permission to speak for yourself.”


So Paul motioned with his hand and began his defense: 2 “King Agrippa, I consider myself fortunate to stand before you today as I make my defense against all the accusations of the Jews, 3 and especially so because you are well acquainted with all the Jewish customs and controversies.Therefore, I beg you to listen to me patiently.

4 “The Jewish people all know the way I have lived ever since I was a child, from the beginning of my life in my own country, and also in Jerusalem. 5 They have known me for a long time and can testify, if they are willing, that I conformed to the strictest sect of our religion, living as a Pharisee.6 And now it is because of my hope in what God has promised our ancestors that I am on trial today. 7 This is the promise our twelve tribes are hoping to see fulfilled as they earnestly serve God day and night. King Agrippa, it is because of this hope that these Jews are accusing me. 8 Why should any of you consider it incredible that God raises the dead?

9 “I too was convinced that I ought to do all that was possible to oppose the name of Jesus of Nazareth. 10 And that is just what I did in Jerusalem. On the authority of the chief priests I put many of the Lord’s people in prison, and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them.11 Many a time I went from one synagogue to another to have them punished, and I tried to force them to blaspheme. I was so obsessed with persecuting them that I even hunted them down in foreign cities.

12 “On one of these journeys I was going to Damascus with the authority and commission of the chief priests. 13 About noon, King Agrippa, as I was on the road, I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, blazing around me and my companions. 14 We all fell to the ground, and I heard a voice saying to me in Aramaic,[a] ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’

15 “Then I asked, ‘Who are you, Lord?’

“ ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ the Lord replied. 16 ‘Now get up and stand on your feet. I have appeared to you to appoint you as a servant and as a witness of what you have seen and will see of me. 17 I will rescue you from your own people and from the Gentiles. I am sending you to them 18 to open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith in me.’

19 “So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven. 20 First to those in Damascus, then to those in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and then to the Gentiles, I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds. 21 That is why some Jews seized me in the temple courts and tried to kill me. 22 But God has helped me to this very day; so I stand here and testify to small and great alike. I am saying nothing beyond what the prophets and Moses said would happen— 23 that the Messiah would suffer and, as the first to rise from the dead, would bring the message of light to his own people and to the Gentiles.”

24 At this point Festus interrupted Paul’s defense. “You are out of your mind, Paul!” he shouted. “Your great learning is driving you insane.”

25 “I am not insane, most excellent Festus,” Paul replied. “What I am saying is true and reasonable.26 The king is familiar with these things, and I can speak freely to him. I am convinced that none of this has escaped his notice, because it was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know you do.”

28 Then Agrippa said to Paul, “Do you think that in such a short time you can persuade me to be a Christian?”


29 Paul replied, “Short time or long—I pray to God that not only you but all who are listening to me today may become what I am, except for these chains.”

-Acts 26:1-29 NIV


To my friends, and colleagues in the Bench and Bar may I appeal to you to consider the evidence for Christ, that by His grace you may repent and believe and trust  Him as your personal Lord and Savior. 


God Bless you and grant you His Grace of wisdom in your endeavors.

PRIDE

 LOVE NOT THE WORLD :


Love not the world, nor the things in the world. 


If any one love the world, the love of the Father is not in him;


because all that [is] in the world, 


the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, 


and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.


And the world is passing, and its lust, but he that does the will of God abides for eternity.-

-

1 John 2:15-17 (Darby)


PRIDE:


The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.I fast twice in the week, I tithe everything I gain.


-Luke 18:11-12


(Notice how Jesus brought out that the underlying attitude of the Pharisee was reliance in self. He boasted before God of all his "excellent" qualities and works, things he evidently thought would earn him God's respect. His vanity about these things then motivated him to regard others as less than himself.)


PRIDE IN ACHIEVEMENTS:

All this happened to King Nebuchadnezzar. 29…as the king was walking  on the roof of the royal palace of Babylon, 30 he said, “Is not this the great Babylon I have built as the royal residence, by my mighty power and for the glory of my majesty?”


31 Even as the words were on his lips, a voice came from heaven, “This is what is decreed for you, King Nebuchadnezzar: Your royal authority has been taken from you. 32 You will be driven away from people and will live with the wild animals; you will eat grass like the ox. Seven times will pass by for you until you acknowledge that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes.”


-Daniel 4:28-32 


PRIDE THE ROOT CAUSE OF SIN:


An angel named Lucifer tried to exalt himself above God. 


He declared: “I will ascend to heaven;  I will raise my throne above the stars of God, and I will sit on the mount of assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend  above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:13-14) 


 (Look at the pride of this angel, most handsome and brightest, who said “I”, “I”, “I,”  “I”, “I”, “I”)

 

He said, “I will” five (5) times, and God said, “No, you won’t” and cast him out of Heaven. Lucifer, “son  of the  morning”  become Satan  the accuser.  

 

God said to Lucifer, “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy,  beauty, 


thou hast corrupted  thy wisdom by reason of thy brightness; 


I will cast thee to the ground. 


I will lay thee before kings that they may behold thee.” (Ezekiel 28:17)

  

Every sin whatever it is has pride at its root because all sin is defiance of God. What could be more prideful than saying, “I won’t follow God’s standard”.  

 

God isn’t impressed with your credentials. You must come to God and say, “I am a sinner, and I realize I am worthy of nothing”. 

- The Importance of Humility, Daily Readings, John MacArthur

BORN AGAIN REVISITED

 Born Again, Revisited


Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

-John 3:3


It was to a very religious and well educated person named Nicodemus that Jesus spoke about the need to be “born again”. 


The Lord Jesus Christ spoke of  new birth and there are some born again believers who still suffer much ridicule when they speak about this spiritual awakening to the unregenerate mind. We hear such pejorative comments directed at them as “born against” a reference to a convert who abandons  his religious tradition by becoming a Christian.. 


There are relatively good, well mannered and considerate people who refuse to accept that they need rebirth as Christ said to Nicodemus. They say they live a decent life, they show concern or even love for others, they try to be kind and unselfish, they go to church and perform religious duties and submit to religious rites. They believe  they are doing pretty well so what is  all this business about needing to be born again?


In John 3:3 the Lord Jesus  tells the decent, respectable, religious man Nicodemus , “Unless a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.”


In Matthew 18:3 he tells his disciples, “Unless you change and become like little children you will never enter the kingdom of heaven”.


This is childlike faith, humble trust and submission to  Christ.


The Bible reveals to us that man is “dead in his transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1) For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)


Jesus describes a born again believer as one who has “crossed over from the death to life.” (John 5:24)


 The Bible is speaking about spiritual death. And because man is by nature spiritually dead he needs to receive spiritual life, in other words, to be born again.


This was hard for Nicodemus to comprehend. How can a man enter his mother’s womb the second time and be born again when he is old? Jesus isn’t referring to a physical birth. This conveys the idea of being “born from above”. (John 2:23)  Man must be born of the Spirit of God. It is the only way. The Holy Spirit brings conviction to man’s heart and through faith he believes in the finished work of Christ and is regenerated a new creature.

God and man are so different in essence, in character and in nature that the only way in which man can possibly enter into a living relationship with him is if God gives him a new life, a new nature. Jesus explained to Nicodemus, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You shoulld not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’”

Jesus reveals to Nicodemus there is a fundamental difference in the flesh and the Spirit. Those who have never experienced the spiritual birth remain in the flesh. There has been no change in their lives. When we are born again, we are born of the Spirit. The Lord makes a change within the heart, old things have passed away and all things become new. There will be a noticeable difference in the lives of those who are born again. 2 Cor.5:17- “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” We will still be apt to sin and come short of the glory of God, but there will be a drastic change in our lives.

Nicodemus was an educated Pharisee but he couldn’t grasp the truths of salvation. It is beyond our ability to grasp all Jesus has done for us and continues to do in us. The new birth is the supernatural work of God in the heart of man, a miracle that can neither be explained nor controlled.

Jesus gives a simple illustration: The wind blows where it wishes; we hear the sound of the wind and can even see its effects, but we cannot tell where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with our salvation. We feel the conviction of the Spirit and we visibly see the effects of a changed life, and yet we have no idea all that the Spirit is doing in our lives or where He is leading us.

Much of what we’ve received is a wonderful mystery. 

As an illustration of man’s lost condition, dead men are blind and Jesus said that unless a man is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. The Apostle Paul adds that “the god of this age (the devil) has blinded the minds of unbelievers so that they cannot see the light of the Gospel of the glory of Christ who is the image of God.” 2 Corinthians 4:4) Again dead men are deaf, and the Prophet Jeremiah says, of people who are not right with God: “ Their ears are closed so that they cannot hear.” (Jeremiah 6:10) And to take one more illustration, a dead body soon becomes decayed and unclean and the Bible teaches that even at our best we are unclean in God’s sight until we are born again.  


And who can say “ I have kept my heart pure, I am clean and without sin?”. (Proverbs 20:9) 


No one.


The Book of Revelation says concerning Heaven: “Nothing impure will ever enter it…” It would be obvious that for a man to get right with God something radical needs to happen. He must be born again.


Jesus reveals there is only one way to enter into the Kingdom of God. A man must be born again. The phrase “unless a man be born again” is imperative telling us “there are no other options;” Jesus is the only way! We must be born again. It is absolutely necessary. A person of the same stature as Nicodemus would presume he was likely to enter God’s Kingdom. But Jesus said, “You must be born again.”  The implication is clear. Nicodemus should not rely upon his own personal righteousness, merit and religiosity as his passage to God’s kingdom. He needs to repent of his sins and believe in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. 


And he did because he became a follower of Christ. ( See John 19:39, John 7:50-51)

MERCIES

 As shadows of night

Give way to dawn’s light

God opens the door

To a brand new day

And with it come mercies

From His  gracious hands

For giving new mercies

Is always His way.

-D de Haan


This, in spite  of the stormy days…

BLINDED

 4 The god who rules this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers. They cannot see the light, which is the good news about our glorious Christ, who shows what God is like.


-2 Corinthians 4:4 (CEV)


12 Be attentive, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, and you depart from the living God.


-Hebrews 3:12