"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." - John 1:1
"O Come let us adore Him...." - Adeste Fidelis / O Come All Ye Faithful (Christmas Carol)
In linguistics, a word is understood to mean " the smallest element, that can be uttered in isolation, with objective or practical meaning. "
So the Word "word" as used by us represents the smallest spoken unit of meaning, and we speak/hear words to express understanding and represent knowledge.
That is what separates us from the animals. Animals definitely communicate in a variety of ways, but a lot of their "knowledge" is coded into their instincts. Humans are unique in that we are constantly pushing the boundaries of our knowledge - and ensuring this knowledge is passed on to the next generation via language, transmitted by word of mouth, books, or other materials. We create new things (Automobiles, Aircraft etc.) by applying our knowledge to problems that still exist, finding solutions, and then writing them down so that others can build on that foundation. That is the modern scientific method - and it works!
It works because there ARE underlying principles and order(Logos) to the reality that we perceive, and it can be understood, grasped and manipulated by us to our advantage (as we have done). We live in a universe that is governed by rules that we can discover (gravity, speed of light, time, space, energy etc.).
This is what John 1:1 is talking about referring to the Word (Logos). The Greek word Logos is a concept from a Greek philosopher called Heraclitus who lived 535-475 B.C (John knew what it meant). It seeks to communicate the concept of -the logic/reasoning behind an argument, not the argument itself - saying that there is a principle of order and knowledge (the logic/reason) for reality to look like it does for us today.
Scientists are still trying to wrap their heads around how rules & order could emerge from chaos/nothing ... but since their juries are still out - we will not disturb their thinking ? - the Bible tells us:
"Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear." - Hebrews 11:3 ( KJV )
The book of Hebrews is like beef jerky... concentrated protein in every sentence! Lets look at this one...
"By Faith"... faith here is not a blind faith. This faith is based on experiential,practical, knowledge - and is directly linked to the next words "We understand". We begin to see the underlying principles and order! That is understanding... which in turn builds faith! You may see the sun come up and down many times over your life time, but understanding comes when you can publish an almanac of sunset and sunrise times a year in advance, and have "faith/confidence" it will be correct. So what is it faith helps us to understand?
"...that the worlds were framed by the word of God....."
The word "worlds" (Gk Aion) is properly understood as "eternity past,till now, for ever", "framed" as "put together perfectly". All existence has emerged from the Words Spoken by God... these words not only carried meaning, principles and order from the mind of God Himself, but He also had the power to bring these thoughts, meanings and concepts into being.
When you have some time, just meditate on that for a while. The beauty and majesty of Niagara falls, the Grand Canyon, the plumage of a hummingbird, the soft white silence of winter, the joy of welcoming a new life into the world, sunflowers and dewdrops, hail and rain, angels, His plan of Redemption... these are expressions of His Mind, just as TV, Internet, Machines, Art, Literature, Dance - are expressions of ours! We can create/bring new things into existence with our "words" like He does with His. Words have power. The power comes from the knowledge/meaning carried within them, and how they are used!
"....so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear."
Some have tried to make this passage about the book of Hebrews talking about atomic particles, and how the Bible is so amazing that it tells us that what we see is composed of things we CAN'T see. No, what it talks about is even more amazing!
Before you make a thing, you must first have a picture or "concept" of it in your mind. Its like an artist "sort of knows" what he/she is going to draw before he/she sets about it. He/She may want to paint of picture of flowers in a vase for example. Short of actually arranging the flowers and copying that picture, some artists just paint directly from their concept. So what was MADE(the painting) did not start from something that was VISIBLE (the concept of the painting). The invisible thoughts of God's mind are what brought everything into existence, and that same principle carries through to creatures made in His image! (We are (g)ods as well, having the power to create!)
Lets talk about Faith itself. Where does it come from? "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." : Romans 10:17 WHAT? We have the same source for our faith as that which spoke the world into existence? YES WE DO!
"If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. " - Matthew 17:20. Your spoken word, faith in His power, and His will to grant your request. What can then be impossible?!!!
Now before we dive to our death from skyscrapers singing "I believe I can fly".... God would not be righteous if He broke His own rules. A payment has to be made for sin, just as defying gravity and common sense will lead to our untimely demise. But that's why we have the Word!
The Word of God, is the only way we have access to the KNOWLEDGE of God. The Knowledge of God, fuels our FAITH, which fuels our UNDERSTANDING, which alters our PERSPECTIVE/WORLDVIEW, which changes our WALK!
God wrote down His Words, and His Actions, in dealing with Man from Adam to Christ and beyond,so that we could get to UNDERSTAND Him. God's Word, as expressed and handed down to us in the Bible, is knowledge and understanding unlike anything the world has ever seen. Why is there evil, why is there pain and suffering, what is the meaning of life, of human history, my place in universe, how should I live my life, how should I deal with situation, what comes after this..? WE HAVE ANSWERS FOR ALL OF THAT!
What the BIBLE -IS NOT- : a manual for shedding 50 pounds fast, making millions of dollars in real estate, becoming famous. IF you are looking for those answers, the Bible clearly tells you - You came into the world with nothing, you will leave with nothing. All you take with you is your soul and your deeds, all you leave behind are memories and a legacy (if you are blessed!). Spend time on the things that matter. Build treasure in Heaven. Love your fellow man. Most people will shrug and say... "well that just doesn't work for me." Well, what about this...
The Word of God also gives us the GOSPEL and the keys to ETERNAL LIFE. If you don't believe this, consider what the Word has done to assure you in this regard. We have the PROMISE of Christ, predicted in ADVANCE, we have the SURE FULFILMENT in His Advent & Ministry, & we have the HOPE of His Resurrection! Documented, and fulfilled over thousands of years. In particular, the witness of Christ's Resurrection was sealed in blood by those early Christian eyewitnesses that chose death rather than tell a lie. We have Christ's own appearance to His disciples ( and many others ) for 40 days after He rose, and we have their testimony written in the Word for us! The Word shows us a God True to His Word!
Lastly, we have the Word, MADE FLESH. All the concepts and principles were embodied in the perfection of His Christ. Teacher, Humanist, Philosopher, Social Reformer, Prophet, King, Messiah, LORD! Christ is the clearest picture of the mind and heart of God. If you just read the Words in Red (in Bibles that highlight His Words that way) AND THINK AND ACT UPON THEM, your life will never be the same! As mortals, we need things "dumbed-down" quite a lot before we "get it".. ? Christ is a picture that needs no further explanation! He was the one that brought the Words of Life to a world thirsty of hope!
He is the Logos - or the reason for our existence! The one for whom we were created, and who gives our lives meaning!
This season, we invite all those who love us to begin to adore afresh and anew, the Christ, the Word.
Let us light the lamp of the Bible in our homes and in our hearts. Start at a passage, and say, I dont understand this. If the Holy Spirit does not seem to be immediately available to answer, ask Alexa/Siri/Google (He's still there don't worry, He is just not going to spoon feed you), go look at what other people have said. Think about it, pray about, and see what happens...? If regular Bible study ( once a week is fine if it is STUDY ) is not in your routine ask yourself,
WHAT IS STOPPING YOU?
The enemy knows that this is the ONLY OFFENSIVE weapon in our armory. All that we need to do is study and teach it ( make disciples / the Great Commission). The Word simply and wisely preached, and the Spirit moving can change hearts. A slick Sunday presentation .... ?
An all out battle is being waged to remove the simple basic explanation of the Bible from the pulpit, and an in-depth study of it in our homes. It is replaced with christian entertainment, a feel-good vibe, a weekly ritual. It is the "soda" that replaces real nutrition, but erodes your insides.
Christians need to start eating right and working out.... only then can we truly ADORE Him! When we see Him for who and what He is. When we see His faithfulness. When we see His Mercy. When we see His Justice & Truth. Yes, even when we see Him in wrath! Let our adoration not be measured by the beauty of the words we speak, but by the time spent in meditating on the Word, and contemplating His loveliness!
The Bible is not like any book ever written. It does not simply claim to be true, it sets the standard for what TRUTH IS! Isn't it a marvelous mechanism, a little book, containing within its pages a picture of the Creator of the Universe, along with a manual for living!
May His Love, Grace, Mercy, and Joy as revealed in Himself, the Word, be with you and yours this Christmas season!! He is Alive, and longs to dwell with you, and speak to you and transform you!
O come, let us adore Him, now, and daily ... for He gives us Wonderful Words of Life !
Hallelujah!