WORD. From the Bunker Day 61

I like to consider myself a wordsmith. Anyone can write, but a wordsmith organizers words in such a way that grabs attention and draws people into the story. Alas, as much as I desire to be that kind of writer I fall short of mastering the art. I will read what I have written and think, “not bad.” Then I will read someone with the gift and I am blown away. I don’t feel bad at all. God gifts each of us differently, and even within a specific gifting there are levels. So I continue to write and perfect the craft and appreciate those who can bring their words alive.

Of course, that’s what sets Jesus apart from everyone else. John writes in his gospel, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.” (John 1:1-3). In John 14:23 Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” Revelation 19:13-16, “He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.”

The power of the written and living word of God is far greater than any order of words that I might be able to formulate. His words have the power to create and to destroy, to give life or to judge. He could speak to the wind and calm the storm. Jesus called the demons by name and they fled from his presence. He called the name of Lazarus and his lungs filled with life giving air bringing a dead man to life. It is this very Word of Life who said, “I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”(Matthew 12:36,37).

Our words have power. We can speak life into people with words of encouragement and love. We can speak heartache and death with profane words that cut deep into the soul. That’s why James described the tongue in the harshest of terms. “So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.” (James 3:5,6).

Our danger is when we are faced with situations, positions, philosophies, strategies, personalities, and actions that are different than our own. In the tension that follows disagreement we can give words of life or words that set the ground ablaze.

Our challenge is to rise above the flesh and live by the Spirit. We are to  leave judgement to God and speak life into those around us. If we do this the body of Christ will be built up, the world will see our love, and the name of a Jesus will be exalted. These are the kind of words we need to speak. I’m just saying…

Word. From The Bunker Day 61