The Word

Thursday, August 10, 2017

John 1:1: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son4 from the Father, full of grace and truth.

God's Word. Christians know the Word of God. It is the Bible, the written books of God. God's Word is something that Christians read on a sometimes daily basis. God's Word is the means through which the Holy Spirit teaches, leads, and disciples. Through the Word of God we know the will of God revealed to us from which we serve.

AND

God's Word is Jesus. God's Word is the flesh and blood Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, from everlasting to everlasting, He is our God. The Word of God, Jesus Christ, IS the Word of God.

Now this is a mystery. Our minds try to force us to make a choice between the Word of God being the written Word or the person of Jesus. Our minds say they can't be both. It has to be one OR the other. Many people think this is the reason the Bible contains errors and contradictions. We think, "It can't possibly be BOTH, can it? If you want me to believe that it is both, then that's impossible."

Here is the mystery that is God. Not only can God's Word be BOTH the written Word called the Bible AND Jesus, it IS! God is messing with our minds. God is trying to expand the meaning of words and concepts. God is breaking down our preconceived ideas of what we think things SHOULD be to what they ARE. It is a tension that cannot be resolved.

And here's the reality flash. God works in the realm of "BOTH/AND" NOT "EITHER/OR." There are mysteries that God reveals to us that we cannot solve. Our minds and experiences are too small. Only by means of faith, belief, and trust in God can we come and say, "I don't understand it. In my mind it is a contradiction. So I'll let it go. I will leave the tension as is. I believe that both sides are true. I will trust God who holds it all together."

Does this satisfy my thoughts? No, it doesn't. It is satisfied and accepted through faith. Believe it. Dear God, lead us to trust You more than our thoughts, Amen.