Jesus said, “…Man…shall live on

[by] every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4. Think of that! We should…we must live by his Word. To do so will propel us into the heavenlies or would immerse us into spiritual realms of joy and satisfaction. Regrettably few of us are there yet. Many of us are still attached to our humanness with fragile faith, marginal in our beliefs. But “…God wants us to be filled with knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding…bearing fruit in good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience…” Colossians 1:9-11

From God’s mouth, ever word is exact, succinct filled with power. It is precise in its purpose and meaning. There is no ambiguity or vagueness, but “is sharper than a two-edged sword…,” accomplishing what it intended. God’s word is applicable to all mankind. He speaks Mandarin Chinese, Pilipino Tagalog, Esperanto, and hundreds of dialects of various cultures and ethnic groups. He speaks to those who can’t hear physically. He speaks to those who can’t hear spiritually. No one can avoid God’s Word or words. Man has four options regarding God’s Word:

  1. Hear but ignore.
  2. Hear but reject.
  3. Hear but are indecisive, wavering.
  4. Hear and live by – believe!

There is a difference between “listening” and “hearing.” The Word has little to say about listening but much to say about “hearing the Word and voice of God.”

By Gordon Kler