Sharper Than Any Two-edged Sword

Sharper Than Any Two-edged Sword

We’ve probably all experienced people  of various religions  going door-to-door  promoting their religion.     Most of them are a cult  of various sorts.     For that very reason,  we are afraid of them and don’t want to talk to them.     They have all their religious materials  in hand  and have a memorized lingo  to keep badgering people with — but us?     All we have is our memory,  and we’re afraid  we don’t know God’s word  well enough  to witness to our faith.     So,  most people will mutter,  “Sorry, not interested,”  and shut the door.

That’s well — and good — in many instances,  because 2 John 10-11 instructs us regarding those who promote false teachings.     It says,

If any one comes  to you  and does not bring  this teaching,  do not receive him  into your house,  and do not give him a greeting,  for the one who gives him a greeting participates  in his evil deeds.

All this  is in regard  to false preachers, who pretend  they are your best  and most well-intended friend — just for a chance to draw people into their false religion.     Because they twist God’s word and take things out of context,  it is best to avoid them — not giving them an opportunity to distort God’s word.

But, there are other situations where a good Christian witness is fearfully  avoided.     Why do people want to avoid what they recognize as God’s truth?     It is a fear of the unknown.     They don’t want to appear  unacquainted with God’s word — and,  they’re afraid  to talk about sin or God’s judgment.     After all,  usually if we leave good enough alone,  ignorance is bliss.     People are satisfied knowing a little bit about God,  but they don’t want to get  “too religious”.

In fear to appearing  “too religious”  and in fear of having God show them their sins  in His word,  they take the route  of least resistance,  and just don’t open up  their Bibles.     And,  they are right.     Other people do think Bible readers and believers are  “too religious”.     And, when we read the Bible,  it really will show us the depths of our sinful natures,  along with the faithful love,  grace,  and forgiveness that we have in Jesus Christ.     It is just as Hebrews 4:12  tells us,

For the word  of God  is living  and active  and sharper than any two-edged sword,  and piercing  as far  as the division  of soul  and spirit,  of both joints  and marrow,  and able to judge  the thoughts  and intentions  of the heart.

God’s word is not old-fashioned,  even though it has been around for people  since the beginning of time.     It’s still relevant today.     Throughout the Bible,  we learn what is sinful in God’s eyes  and how we need to avoid all appearances of sin.     God’s word gets down to the nitty-gritty  of our sinfulness.     It shows us how even our thoughts and intentions have evil inclinations — ways of promoting our self-righteousness  and hiding what we really are like  deep down in our hearts.     We need to confess God’s righteousness in pointing that out,  and thank Him  for cleansing us in Christ Jesus.

God’s word is  “living and active”.     It gets down to the roots  of our inner being.     It’s just as alive and pertinent today as it was in the Garden of Eden.

In the Bible,  we also learn about God’s grace — how God patiently and most readily  forgives all our sins  every time we go to Him  with repentant hearts.     So,  when God’s word cuts into us and shows our sins,  we can also trustingly ask God for His love and merciful forgiveness  through Jesus Christ.

No matter what our sins,  we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.     In truth,  we cannot deny our sinfulness.     In truth,  we cannot deny God’s  love,  power,  and willingness to save us.     Let us not be afraid to draw near to God  in His word  to learn the depths  of our salvation in Christ.     1 Peter 2:2  tells us,

Like newborn babes,  long  for the pure milk  of the word,  that by it  you may grow in respect to salvation.

As we grow in the wonders of God’s love,  we say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  You save us to the uttermost.”

Love,
Margaret

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… Handel’s Hallelujah Chorus …

A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and GOD of gods

Pray for our country

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The LORD made this day, let us rejoice and be glad in Him.

Psalm 118:24

The word of the LORD is tried;

He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

Psalm 18:30

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;

Praise is becoming to the upright.

Psalm 33:1

How blessed are those who dwell in Thy house!

They are ever praising Thee.

Psalm 84:4

Just as a father has compassion on his children,

So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.

Psalm 103:13

O give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;

For His lovingkindness is everlasting.

Psalm 107:1

Glory in His holy name;

Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.

Psalm 105:3

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