For You have magnified Your word above all Your name. (Ps. 138:2)
Jesus said in John 14:24 “He who does not love Me does not keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who sent Me.” Jesus wants His words to consistently be first in our lives, having the highest priority or we will not be led by the Spirit into truth but be led away. The Spirit confirms, explains and exalts the Word!
Jesus said, “The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63) Some might argue that the early church did not have the New Testament scriptures and were dependent upon the Spirit alone. However, the evidence points us to the opposite conclusion.
And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Tim. 3:15-17)
The ‘Old Testament’ scriptures are able to make us wise unto salvation through faith in Jesus! They also are profitable for instruction in righteousness that we may be perfect.
For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publicly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. (Acts 18:28)
The Old Testament scriptures demonstrate that Jesus is the Christ!
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:11)
Paul’s gospel could be judged by the Old Testament scriptures.
The Old Testament scriptures were the foundation for the message of grace which Paul and others preached! The New Testament scriptures served to establish the doctrine that was being delivered through the revelation of the Old.
Jesus prayed in John 17:17 “Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.” It is the Word that changes and transforms us. The Word gives light; “The entrance of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple.” (Ps. 119:130)
Some believe that their revelation goes beyond the Word of God, and that the Word is merely a partial supplement to truth. But truth divorced from the Word is not truth. The Holy Spirit is the author of the Word and leads us into truth.
To put the Word first is to fear God Himself. “But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My Word” (Isa. 66:2). To honor God’s Word is to honor the God of the Word.
The Bible declares to us that if you do not continue in the doctrine of Christ you are not his. “Whosoever abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, HATH NOT GOD. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 1:9) The doctrine of Christ can only be found in the Word of God.
Jesus exalted the Word in His resurrected ministry with the disciples:
And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself…..Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures(Luke 24:27,45).
What place does the Word have in your life?