John 1:1, 14a, "In the beginning
was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.....The Word
became flesh and made his dwelling among us."
The Bible is God's written Word. It tells us what God is like. It displays his attributes. He is all knowing, all powerful, holy, righteous, just, truthful, faithful, merciful, forgiving, full of love and grace.
The Bible also tells us what kind of characteristics God desires to see in us--such traits as faith, courage, kindness, faithfulness, integrity, humility. Not only does Scripture tell us about these attributes, but people in the Bible model some of these qualities so we can see how they are actually lived out. For instance, Abraham modeled faith when he answered God's call to leave his home and most of his family and follow God's leading. When I think of courage I remember young David facing the awesome giant Goliath with only five smooth stones, a sling, and faith in God. For faithfulness we have the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who refused to bow to an idol even though they knew it would result in their being thrown into a fiery furnace. And Joseph fleeing from the unwelcome advances of Potiphar's wife gives us a very clear picture of integrity.
Jesus on earth personified God's attributes for us. The Bible TELLS us about God, but Jesus' life, death, and resurrection SHOW us God in person. In Him we see how God's attributes are to be applied in a human life. The greatest example of love the world has ever known is the cross of Christ. So, Scripture is the written Word, but Jesus is the Living Word, our gracious God in the flesh showing us how to live and making it possible by empowering us through the Holy Spirit to follow His example.
Father, thank You for Your written Word, which TELLS us about You and for Your Living Word, Jesus Christ, Who SHOWED us who You are and made it possible, through the cross, for us to experience the Christian life by the Holy Spirit's power within us. Amen.
The Bible is God's written Word. It tells us what God is like. It displays his attributes. He is all knowing, all powerful, holy, righteous, just, truthful, faithful, merciful, forgiving, full of love and grace.
The Bible also tells us what kind of characteristics God desires to see in us--such traits as faith, courage, kindness, faithfulness, integrity, humility. Not only does Scripture tell us about these attributes, but people in the Bible model some of these qualities so we can see how they are actually lived out. For instance, Abraham modeled faith when he answered God's call to leave his home and most of his family and follow God's leading. When I think of courage I remember young David facing the awesome giant Goliath with only five smooth stones, a sling, and faith in God. For faithfulness we have the example of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who refused to bow to an idol even though they knew it would result in their being thrown into a fiery furnace. And Joseph fleeing from the unwelcome advances of Potiphar's wife gives us a very clear picture of integrity.
Jesus on earth personified God's attributes for us. The Bible TELLS us about God, but Jesus' life, death, and resurrection SHOW us God in person. In Him we see how God's attributes are to be applied in a human life. The greatest example of love the world has ever known is the cross of Christ. So, Scripture is the written Word, but Jesus is the Living Word, our gracious God in the flesh showing us how to live and making it possible by empowering us through the Holy Spirit to follow His example.
Father, thank You for Your written Word, which TELLS us about You and for Your Living Word, Jesus Christ, Who SHOWED us who You are and made it possible, through the cross, for us to experience the Christian life by the Holy Spirit's power within us. Amen.
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