JUST THINKING: God's Unchanging Word
I was just thinking about the various perspectives which exist today regarding the Bible — God’s Holy Word:
• God’s Word is not a book of stories — it is a book of accounts.
• His Word is not a book of fables — it is a book of facts.
• God’s Word is not about knowing Scriptures — it is about knowing Jesus.
• His Word is not about falsehoods — it is about Truth.
• God’s Word is not about mere goodness — it is about true righteousness.
• His Word is not just about what has happened — it is about what is yet to happen.
God’s Word is Alive
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any two-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Heb. 4:12 NIV). The Word is alive because Jesus is the Word and He is alive.
The Apostle John described Jesus in this way: “In the beginning was the Word and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning,” (John 1:1-2). Note that last sentence — it does not say “it” was with God, it says “He” was with God.
Jesus Christ is the Word of God from Genesis to Revelation. He has been, is and will always be the Message and Messenger of God the Father. The Word of God does not change. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Heb. 13:8). The word same is autos in Greek, and it means immutable — never changing. No matter the countries, cultures or changes in this world through the centuries, God’s Word has not changed because Jesus Christ has not changed.
Departures from God’s Word
While none should be shocked (God’s Word said it would happen), there is a great moving away from biblical truth, with Charlatan preachers proclaiming greed rather than the gospel. False teachers are leading people to believe being a good citizen is to be desired rather than to be a good Christian. People are wanting to hear what makes them feel good instead of hearing what makes them repent and turn to salvation through Jesus Christ.
I refer to this scripture often, but I do so because of its relevance in these last days. This is what the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to write to Timothy: “The Spirit clearly says in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron” (I Tim. 4:1-2). The word “later” is husteros in Greek and get this — it means “later.”
God’s Word is a Warning
I pray for pastors today to preach the truths of God’s Word. They are watchmen on the wall who are looking out for those who would draw others away from God’s true Word. Jesus warned, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves” (Matt. 7:15). Paul told Timothy, “If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly.” (I Tim. 4:6-7).
Cling to God’s Word
God’s Word is truth. It is not an allegory, and it is not one long fable. It His everlasting Word. From the writer of Hebrews: “We must pay the most careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away” (Heb. 2:1). Again encouragement from Paul to Timothy: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn a way from godless chatter and opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, which some have professed and in doing so have wandered from the faith” (I Tim. 6:20-21).
God’s Word is forever — that is why He is the same yesterday and today and forever. Jesus Himself said this: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away” (Matt. 24:35).
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Dr. Tom Mitchell
Dr. Tom Mitchell pens a column titled, Just Thinking, in which he addresses many topics relative to the Baptist Missionary Association. His Trailblazers series provides biographies of many BMA trailblazers from the past.
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