Cultivating a Deeper Dependence on God's Word Like Jesus
A deeper dependence on God's Word, as exemplified by Jesus, involves a commitment to its study, application, and proclamation. The Scriptures are considered to be given by divine inspiration, originating from God and communicated through the Holy Spirit [4]. Jesus himself sanctioned the Scriptures by appealing to them and teaching from them [4].
The Bible is referred to as "the Word," "the Word of God," and "the Word of Christ" [4]. It is seen as infallible, guided by the Holy Spirit, and free from error in fact, doctrine, or precept [5]. All saving knowledge is understood to be derived from the Word of God [5].
Cultivating a deeper dependence on God's Word means allowing it to "dwell in you" [8]. This implies a thorough engagement with the entire Scripture, including both the Old and New Testaments, which are considered inspired by God and written for Christ's sake [8]. Such engagement involves searching, careful attention, diligent reading, and frequent meditation [8]. When the Word of Christ abides in believers, it means the Gospel and its truths have taken deep root in their hearts, leading to a continued relish and affection for it, and a steadfast adherence to its teachings [9].
This dependence is not merely intellectual but also practical. Believers are called to be "imitators of God" [2] and to walk in a manner "worthy of the Lord," which includes being fruitful and growing in the knowledge of God [6]. Obedience to Christ and his commandments is a clear indication of knowing Christ and belonging to him [10]. As believers obey, their love for God and knowledge of him mature, enabling them to live as Jesus did, in union with God and demonstrating love for others [10].
The Word of God is also the means by which new spiritual birth occurs, leading to Christian brotherhood and abiding love among believers [7]. Those who believe in Jesus as the Christ and Son of God are spiritually born of God and empowered by the Spirit to love God and others, and to obey God, overcoming worldly temptations through faith [11]. When speaking, believers are encouraged to speak as if uttering "the very words of God," and when serving, to do so with strength supplied by God, so that God may be glorified through Jesus Christ [3]. This commitment to the Word stands in contrast to those who might "peddle the word of God" for their own gain [1].
Sources
- 2 Corinthians “For we are not as so many, peddling the word of God. But as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God, we speak in Christ. -- 2 Corinthians 2:17”
- Ephesians “Be therefore imitators of God, as beloved children. -- Ephesians 5:1”
- 1 Peter “If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen. -- 1 Peter 4:11”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Scriptures, The — Given by inspiration of God -- 2Ti 3:16. Given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit -- Ac 1:16; Heb 3:7; 2Pe 1:21. Christ sanctioned, by appealing to them -- Mt 4:4; Mr 12:10; Joh 7:42. Christ taught out of -- Lu 24:27. Are called the Word. -- Jas 1:21-23; 1Pe 2:2. Word of God. -- Lu 11:28; Heb 4:12. Word of Christ. -- Col 3:16. Word of truth. -- Jas 1:18. Holy Scriptures. -- Ro 1:2; 2Ti 3:15. Scripture of truth. -- Da 10:21. Book. -- Ps 40:7; Re 22:19. Book of the Lord. -- Isa 34:16. Book of the law. -- Ne 8:3; Ga 3:10. Law of the Lord. -- Ps 1:2; Isa”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Word of God — (Heb. 4:12, etc.). The Bible so called because the writers of its several books were God's organs in communicating his will to men. It is his "word," because he speaks to us in its sacred pages. Whatever the inspired writers here declare to be true and binding upon us, God declares to be true and binding. This word is infallible, because written under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, and therefore free from all error of fact or doctrine or precept. (See [670]INSPIRATION; [671]BIBLE.) All saving knowledge is obtained from the word of God. In the case of ”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:10: Greek, "So as to walk"; so that ye may walk. True knowledge of God's will is inseparable from walking conformably to it. worthy of the Lord-- (Eph 4:1). unto--so as in every way to be well-pleasing to God. pleasing--literally, "desire of pleasing." being fruitful--Greek, "bearing fruit." This is the first manifestation of their "walking worthy of the Lord." The second is, "increasing (growing) in the knowledge of God (or as the oldest manuscripts read, 'growing BY the full knowledge of God')"; thus, as the Gospel word (Col 1:6) was said to ”
- 1 Peter (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Peter 1:23: Christian brotherhood flows from our new birth of an imperishable seed, the abiding word of God. This is the consideration urged here to lead us to exercise brotherly love. As natural relationship gives rise to natural affection, so spiritual relationship gives rise to spiritual, and therefore abiding love, even as the seed from which it springs is abiding, not transitory as earthly things. of . . . of . . . by--"The word of God" is not the material of the spiritual new birth, but its mean or medium. By means of the word the man receives the incorru”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 3:16: Let the word of Christ dwell in you,.... The Alexandrian copy and Arabic version read, "the word of God"; by which may be meant the whole Scripture, all the writings of the Old and New Testament, which are by inspiration of God, were endited by the spirit of Christ, speak and testify of him, and were written for his sake, and on his account, and therefore may be called his word; and are what should be searched into, carefully attended to, diligently read, and frequently meditated upon; and which are able, under a divine blessing, to furnish with all spiritual wisd”
- John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on John 15:6: If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you,.... Abiding in Christ is here explained by his words or doctrines abiding in his disciples; by which are meant his Gospel, and the truths of it. This abides when it comes in power, and becomes the engrafted word; and may be said to do so, when such, in whose hearts it has a place, and has taken deep root, continue to have a relish and savour of it, a true and hearty affection for it, esteeming it above their necessary food; when they hold fast the profession of it, stand fast in it, steadfastly abide by it, and constantly at”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 2:3: 2:3-6 Obedience is one clear indication that we know Christ and belong to him. If we do not obey Christ, it is obvious that we do not belong to him or love him. • As we obey Christ and his commandments, our love for God and our knowledge of him will grow toward completeness and maturity. We will live . . . as Jesus did, in union with God and showing love for others.”
- 1 John (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 John 5:1: 5:1-5 Those who believe that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God have been born spiritually as children of God (see John 20:31). Such people are empowered by the Spirit of God to love him and others, and by their faith to obey God and overcome the evil temptations of the world. Through faith, they can love God and live in obedience to him.”