The Richness of God’s Word: It Is the Whole of Scripture Which Makes the Believer Whole

God’s Word is crucial in the life of the believer. Indeed, it is essential. God desires for His children to “grow up” in Him which is accomplished through knowing and doing His Word. It is not enough to simply have “head knowledge” of the Truth but it is also to be Truth which is “fleshed out”. God’s Word is to be put into practice in the life of every heir of mercy through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. We accomplish this great task through a steady diet of reading and applying its Truths to our lives. The way in which to be spiritually rich in heavenly knowledge is to dig in this mine of great treasures and to gather pearls from this heavenly sea of God’s Word. When Jesus Himself sought to enrich others, He mined in the quarry of the Holy Scriptures.

Paul writes to his beloved Timothy the following which we too should follow in 2 Timothy 2:15 (NIV): “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” It is also important for us to remember that God’s Word is alive and active. The writer of Hebrews tells us in Hebrews 4:12 (NIV): “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” You cannot read it and not be changed – you will either quit reading it or change. It is simply too convicting.

God’s Word goes down to our innermost beings uplifting, strengthening, encouraging, exhorting, convicting and on and on it goes. We begin by reading it and it begins to read us. It is also living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword judging the thoughts and attitudes of our hearts. As we live according to it, it enables us to keep our ways pure. There is nothing like it and to disregard it is foolish indeed. We are never, never to neglect it.    

When we approach it, it is important to ask God for guidance to open our eyes that we might see wonderful Truths in His Law and to equip and empower us to both discern and apply it rightly. That is a prayer the Lord Jesus loves to answer in the affirmative. Psalms 119 (almost smack dab in the middle of the Bible) is a wonderful tribute to the Word of God and well worth the read – or better yet, to have it stored safe and secure within our hearts.