Is There No Evidence Existing for the Power of the Word?

I have been reading John Owen's discourse entitled, "The Reason of Faith." He argues why faith is reasonable in that God expresses His mind in the Scripture. Since God reveals His mind in the Scripture, men are therefore to believe in this revelation. The chapter I just completed was a real encouragement and strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ. What proof does the believer have that the Bible is from God? Well, ultimately there is no scientific proof, (even scientific proof does not make it effectual), but Owen does give some evidences to believers of how we may know the Bible to be from God.

1. The Bible brings conviction over sin "on those who expected it not, who desired it not, and who would avoid it if by any means possible they could." Think about this in your own life and this will prove the power that accompanies the Bible. We love sin. We love ourselves. How strong and efficacious is the Word of God then that it points us away from our sin and ourself! Many men are comfortable in their sin, and find enjoyment in their secret lusts. The Bible causes men to enjoy God! Hear this from Owen,

Where it gives disquietment, all the world cannot give it peace; and where it speaks peace, there is none who can give it trouble.

When the word of God moves on us, pointing us to Christ, it does so with such power that nothing can conquer our affections.

2. It is the light shining in the dark place. The entire world is dark, eternally separated from life with God because of sin. The Word is the avenue where men may come to the knowledge of God and truly live. Owen continues,

And the minds of men are naturally in darkness; there is a blindness upon them that they cannot see nor discern spiritual things, no, not when they are externally proposed unto them...With respect unto both these kinds of darkness the Scripture is a light, and accompanied with a spiritual illuminating efficacy.

The world is filled with vanity, evil, and confusion, but the Word comes to the mind as a light shining in the darkness. It opens up our understanding and conforms us to the image of the new man, Jesus Christ.

3. It evidences itself by the awe that it puts on the minds of men who hate the Scriptures and who hate God. We must understand, all those who are outside of Jesus Christ hate God and hate the Word. But, these men and women will rarely utterly reject and absolutely refuse to give small countenance to God and His Word. There is a slight respect for these in the despisers. This is "because of that testimony for himself which he keeps alive in them whether they will or no." They know in their conscience that this Word is from God, though they hate it and despise it. Though they wish they could break free of His rule, they still understand that the Bible manifests itself to be the Word of God.

4. It evidences its power by providing strong consolations "in the deepest and most unrelievable distresses." Men and women suffering for the Christian faith have been locked up in dungeons, beat and stripped, spit on, ridiculed, but...

in these and the like distresses doth the word of God, by its divine power and efficacy, break through all interposing difficulties, all dark and discouraging circumstances, supporting, refreshing, and comforting such poor distressed suffers, yea, commonly filling them under overwhelming calamities with "joy unspeakable and full of glory."

How can this word give that much consolation in such insurmountable circumstances? It is because it comes from the Holy Spirit, who comforts believers in sufferings. It is from God. This is the power of the Word.

Are you allowing the Word to transform your thoughts, affections, desires, emotions, and reflections? Know, believers, we have a true word from God in Jesus Christ. Your Bible is that Word from God showing you the power that is in the Gospel. Take, read; and when you do believe that it is the power of God unto salvation!

Loving Yourself

This post will attempt to summarize my life for the last six months or so. My reading of John Owen continues, but my understanding of Jesus Christ has increased. This is the goal. I also have been struck at how much I love myself, rather than my Savior. However, here are a few things that the Holy Spirit has taught me in my recent readings and meditations.

1. I need the Bible to understand God.
This may seem a "no-brainer," but the depth of understanding this truth has become clearer to my inner man lately. This is the grace of God. I have been reading Owen's "Work of the Spirit," and two of the treatises in that volume deal with this subject. I will commend you to do what the Spirit has been teaching me lately. Ask the Holy Spirit to teach you His word. Ask Him to give you insight into the text, that you may understand your need for Christ.

If you do not read and meditate upon the Word, how will you ever align yourself with the will of God? If you do not understand the mind of God, how will you ever pray correctly? If you do not pray, how will you ever be found in Christ? These things have become more real for me lately. Are you praying more? relying on Christ? desperate for a word from God?

2. Prayer is the work of spiritual maturity in Christ
The Lord has been gracious to me in showing me that prayer is the work to Christ-likeness. It typifies Jesus Christ in that you show your dependency upon God the most when you pray. Prayer should always be coupled with the Scripture. Once again, the Scriptures show to the Church the mind of God. Understanding the mind of God, gives us the tools to pray rightly to God. So let me ask you, as the Holy Spirit asks me every day. Do you pray? I am not asking to you spend 10 minutes in the morning going through a routine word order. Do you pray with unction? Do you contend with God? Do you sweat blood?

If we find Christ as our goal, which I hope all Christians do. We will understand our need to pray.

The book I just picked up which has encouraged me to pray is D. A. Carson's "A Call to Spiritual Reformation." Though I am only three chapters in, this book has reminded me of my need to cry out to my God for help, strength, wisdom, and Christ-likeness.

3. The aim, the vision, the goal; Everything, is being found in Christ
If Christ is not there, I should not be. I pray my desire would be to hate what God hates and love what God loves. There is coming a kingdom that will not fail. This kingdom will never fall. Are you found in Christ daily? Do not think if you prayed a prayer you are found in Christ. Being found in Christ is a daily thing. Do you find yourself clinging to Christ more when things are different as you expect? The Holy Spirit continues to show me my sin, my hatred of God, and my faithlessness.

Will Jesus Christ be your portion? Will the supremacy of Jesus Christ be your mantra in life? Will you lose all things that you may gain Jesus Christ? Will you say with Paul, "all things are garbage to gain Christ?"