Let’s look at this phrase and see what is being expounded. First of all, what does the word, “word” refer to? Of all the words that count in life, it is God’s Word that makes all the difference. When you talk to those who declare this bold statement, they will invariable say that it refers to God’s Word. Perhaps a better way to say this phrase is: “God’s Word Over the World.”
It is God’s Word that gives life and meaning to everything.
Hebrews 4:12:
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
Psalm 138:2:
I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
There are vast numbers of verses we could use to declare the importance of God’s Word. Some of them are John 17:17, James 3:17 and Proverbs 8:6-9. It is established that God’s Word transcends all else in importance.
What does God’s Word say about the Heavenly Father’s desire for His Word to go “over the world?” Here are a few verses in this regard:
Habakkuk 2:14:
For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.
Psalm 147:15:
He sendeth forth his commandment upon earth: his word runneth very swiftly.
There is a vital section of God’s Word in the New Testament that expresses God’s desire, and should command our attention.
I Timothy 2:3 and 4:
For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
God desires everyone on the face of the earth to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth. The word “knowledge” is from the Greek word that means, “a clear and exact knowledge.” What is the truth that we are to know? The next verse reveals this:
Verse 5:
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;
The word “for” in this verse is a conjunction that joins this verse with the previous one. The Amplified translation of verses 4 and 5 correctly expounds these two verses:
Who wishes all men to be saved and increasingly to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth:
That there [is only] one God, and [only] one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.
We are encouraged to really know God Almighty and His son, Jesus Christ, who is the mediator between God and man. It is through Jesus Christ that salvation is realized. He is our only connection to God as recorded in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Jesus Christ paid the price with his life to redeem mankind so that all could be saved (Romans 3:21-24 & 10:9).
It is no wonder how crucial it is for God’s Word to go over the world. Through it comes the true knowledge to salvation. There are other verses that reveal the importance of God’s Word over the world.
II Thessalonians 3:1:
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
The words “have free course” literally mean “run”. The Greek word trechō used here is translated “run” in nineteen of its twenty occurrences in the New Testament. This verse proclaims the importance of prayer when it comes to moving God’s Word over the world.
Other verses reveal the desire of Jesus in moving the Word throughout the whole world.
Mark 16:15:
And he [Jesus] said unto them [his disciples], Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
Acts 1:8:
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in
The last recorded statement of Jesus Christ before he ascended up to be with the Heavenly Father was for his followers to be witnesses not only locally, but in every nook and cranny around the world.
You and I are to participate in this most noble of callings to hold forth God’s Word over the world. God, our Father, has given us the ministry of reconciliation and the Word of reconciliation:
II Corinthians 5:18 and 19:
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
What is our response to this clarion call? It is to hold forth the Words of life:
Philippians 2:16:
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
God has called us to be a part of the great work He is doing to provide salvation for all mankind. Now we have the joyous privilege to pray with great expectation for doors of utterance to open and to boldly declare His Word throughout the world!
- Bob Lindfelt
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:16 & 17
| < Prev | Next > |
|---|
