Who's In Charge Here? A Series on Authority
Monday, January 12, 2004
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Daily Bible Study Menu
A note about online study
My Prayer Today
Heavenly Father, as I start this new day, I thank You that You love me enough to hold me accountable. I confess to You that I often fail to live up to Your perfect standards, and Your word convicts me of my sin. I ask for Your forgiveness, and thank You for providing the means of that forgiveness through Jesus! Glorify Yourself in my life today, by filling me with the Holy Spirit empowering me to think, say and do only what You intend for my life. Give me the boldness to share Your word with others, and to faithfulness to live out Your word in all my actions. This I pray in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Bible Verses
Hebrews 4:12-13
12For 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. 13Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. (NIV)
Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.
Reflecting on God's Word
In what way do you see God’s word as having authority in your life right now?
What does it mean that God’s word is alive?
A Deeper Exploration of God's Word
To what is God’s word compared in today’s Scripture? (4:12)
What is “divided” by God’s word? (4:12)
What does today’s Scripture reveal to us about God? (4:13)
Where does our accountability in life lie according to today’s Scripture? (4:13)
Understanding God's Purpose for Us
In what way does today’s Scripture make it clear that God’s word has authority in our lives?
Why is it important to obey God’s word, according to today’s Scripture?
Applying God's Word to Our Purpose
What is the application of today’s Scripture to Your life right now?
Thoughts
The analogy in today’s Scripture makes it clear that God’s word holds great authority in our lives. If it is, indeed, “living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword,” then it has the power to point out what is wrong and what is right in our lives. We are told that God’s word can even divide the soul from the spirit. While many consider the soul and spirit to be one and the same. This Scripture makes it clear that they are distinct. The spirit is the place within us where God’s Holy Spirit may live once we have received Jesus as Savior and Lord of our lives. The soul is the seat of our will—our human will, which often stands in conflict with God’s will. Thus, God’s word stands ready to help us to know what God expects of us, and to correct us when we have fallen short of those expectations. Thankfully, God’s word also makes it clear that while we fail continually, God’s grace in Jesus is sufficient to grant us salvation. In fact, Christianity is the only “religion” in the world where “bad” people may go to heaven, and “good” people may go to hell, since it Jesus’ work, not ours that counts!