The Word
The Word
By Dennis Huebshman
My main responsibility for anything I present here is to bring you the Word. This is not something I take lightly. In fact, anyone who says they are giving God’s word are held to a higher level of accountability. (James 3:1) Most people think that the Word is everything written in the Bible, but The Word is far greater than that.
John 1:1 SAYS In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God and the Word was God. Verse 2 says: He was in the Beginning with God. Verse 14 says: And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father full of grace and faith.
So, when I present the Word, I am giving Our Savior Jesus the Christ to you. Studying the Bible is very important and should be a part of our daily lives. However, knowing what the Word represents gives us a whole new perspective on what we are reading. (note: why do I say, “the Christ”? Because that wasn’t His last name – it means anointed one or Messiah.)
There are many people who say we all worship the same God. They are even trying to change His name to things like “Giver” and “Gift Giver” as if to make Him Santa Claus or something like that. Feminists even want all male gender terms changed to “gender neutral” terms. This is a definite form of taking His name in vain.
The Word is the Son of God, and His name is to be revered above all others. Philippians 2:10-11 says: “so that at the name of Jesus, every knee will bow of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father.”
God was very specific in the 10 commandments that His name not be taken in vain and not to worship any other god. Jesus said the two greatest commandments are first to love the Lord thy God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is you shall love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these. Mark 12:30-31.
Islam does not speak of God as its heavenly Father. Allah is the deity they worship and is a very impersonal being. We call our God Abba – Father as a sign of a very personal relationship of One who loves us totally and teaches us to love. Jews call their fathers ABBA as a very personal way of saying “Daddy”, and showing they honor and respect their father. Muslims say Allah does not have a son. God talks of His Promised One or Son throughout the Bible.
(Mohammad chose Allah out of about 360 gods to worship. Allah was the “moon god”, and in no way could form a personal relationship with anyone.)
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus tells His disciples to go into the world and make disciples of all nations and to baptize them “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. This is the great commission.
Jesus is talking about Himself as part of the Trinity. He is a “High Priest of ours and understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So, let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy and will find grace to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:15-16
There is so much controversy today that it is hard especially for new believers to figure just what to believe. Our Savior covered this in John 8 verse 32 and verse 36.
32 says You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free.
36 says If the Son therefore sets you free, you shall be free indeed.
In context, He was telling a group of Pharisees that they were in bondage to sin and were lost because they had made God’s words into their words to suit their needs. That’s the same way today with some Churches that want to tickle ears and make people feel good just to get the numbers or the collections up. Jesus said that is wrong. He was giving them a chance to see Him for who He was and to make a decision to accept Him. They did not. People who do not accept Jesus as the Son of God are committing the unforgiveable sin. They can repent but must do so before they take their last breath on this earth. After that, it’s too late.
We have to stand for what we know is right. The time is coming when God will send a delusion to those who do not believe to let them think their lies are real. (2 Thessalonians 2: 11-12) Those of us who believe and put our faith in Him will go forward with eyes wide open and have an eternal home with Him. (2 Thessalonians 2: 13-14)
More and more, evangelical churches are getting away from teaching about the Word! If they confess they believe in Jesus, they may have to change their lifestyle and that is unacceptable to them. This is how some mega-churches have gained such a following. They’re putting on “rock concerts” and massive stage shows rather than just preach the gospel. What they don’t take into account is that for a few possible years of pleasure and “self-living”, they face an eternity in torment. They will be reminded every minute there that they could have accepted Jesus many times. I would rather give the Message to a few people who are really concerned about their eternal salvation than to see the numbers grow by giving false information.
One of the popular songs by Frank Sinatra and Elvis was called “I Did It My Way”! God will allow people to do it their way, but at the Great White Throne Judgment it will be His Way. One thing that always impressed me about the late Billy Graham, he preached to millions and millions, was allowed into the most important circles, and yet never strayed from his message. He always gave a message that was easy for everyone who heard him to understand. This is the way the message was meant to be. Not big words showing how much education the speaker has, but regular language that even the most uneducated could relate to. One more personal note, he never placed himself above anyone either in his personal life or in public. Once asked what he believed his greatest surprise would be in heaven, and his response was, “That I’m actually there.”
I will continue to tell of my best Friend – the Word, Jesus Christ! I fully believe John 14:6 where He said He is the Way, The Truth and The Life. I know I cannot have the Father without Him. Numerous places in the epistles it gives this as a fact, not a suggestion.
If you have found yourself slipping away, now is the time to get right with the Savior. He is always there to welcome us home as did the prodigal son’s father. If you have never really accepted Jesus, how much time do you think you have? It could all come to an end at any moment. Death does not take a vacation, and the Rapture could be any time. Don’t gamble with your soul.
Call out to Jesus to be your Savior, and to forgive you of your sins. Ask Him to come into your heart, and He will send the Holy Spirit to reside there until He comes. He will never turn you away if you sincerely ask Him. (Again – Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13) Today wouldn’t be too early.