The Word bridge

The Bible is a bridge that allows us to cross over from ignorance into the knowledge of who God is and to know what He is like.

As we read the bible we find that we move out of darkness and into the light of the knowledge of Him. After all—“faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” Romans 10:17

We have often visited Budapest in Hungary, a city of two halves that is built on the either side of the river Danube. It would not be possible to leave the area of Pest and enter the other side, that is Buda, without a way of crossing the river but by crossing the bridge we are able to experience the other side of the river. In the same way it is not possible to really know God without we have some kind of bridge to be able to reach across. Christ is our bridge, a spiritual bridge that makes it possible for us to connect with God and gain access to Him, a bridge of faith. In the same way the word is the bridge, a bridge of understanding that allows us to know more about God and His plans and purposes for our lives. This ‘word bridge’ then allows us to realise what Christ has done for us in laying down His own life in exchange for ours. It provides a glimpse through the words contained within it of the heavenly realms. This word carries us closer to God as we learn more about Him. It is quite profound then to consider that the bible names Christ as the word of God that became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1). What John is telling us amongst other things is that Jesus Christ was both the messenger and the message of God. So Jesus is the bridge to God both as our Saviour and as God’s message (the word). When we also read that Jesus is the life and the light, in another place Jesus declared He is the way, that no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14). This living word, the God breathed (or God Inspired) message contained within the bible points to the bridge by which we can enter into relationship with God and at the same time is the bridge that increases our faith and knowledge of God. Put simply, the more I read the more I grow, the more I grow, the stronger my relationship and understanding of God become. Even more amazing is that the more we spend time reading and considering God’s word we come to see that in a Spiritual way God also uses this bridge to reach to us, to communicate with us. It is by the message of Christ and the words of His book (the Bible) that we come to know God’s love flowing down from heaven into our lives. We have been given such an amazing gift in the bridge from God to man, this divine ‘word bridge’, God given, as He makes a way for us where there was no way. The master builder has built a bridge from God to man so we might cross over by it and know God.

The Enduring Word

The lasting word of God has endured for many centuries. There have been two distinct eras, the old, that is before Christ and the new, that is from the birth of Jesus Christ which continues to date. What is remarkable in all that time is the continuity and harmony of the scriptures. God’s word written thousands of years before at the time of Moses does not conflict with the words written centuries later by the prophets, nor with the words of the good news (gospel) writers or the letters written to the new testament churches (the epistles). Peter tells us (1Peter 1v25) “The word of the Lord endures forever.” As the nations of Great Britain celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth there is a lot of looking back over the many years she has reign as our monarch. By comparison when we look at God’s word and realize it spans so many thousands of lifetimes and yet remains today, just as powerful, just as rich and enduring, there truly is no other written work like it. The more time we spend reading and contemplating God’s word, the more we see how intricately woven each part is knitted together to form one whole work. Then thinking about how many authors over the centuries God has inspired to write those things that are today included in the word we know as the Holy Bible. In the dead sea region of Israel some years ago archaeologists discovered clay pots containing written scrolls, upon some of them were copies of the writings (book) od Isaiah the prophet. There are other ancient bible texts in Latin and Greek which together provide modern day scholars with the complete foundation from which our modern translations are derived. What they provide us with is confirmation that the Bible has not changed over time, the text has not been altered. God’s word then has remained right up to modern day. With this in mind think about the impact that word has on those who open their hearts to God. It is certainly evident that the word is living and powerful. How many centuries have passed and how many people have discovered Jesus as their saviour, have delighted in this bible (God’s word). The word for them was no less important, no less of a comfort, inspiration and help than it is for us today. The same words from Jeremiah, ‘call to Me and I will answer you…’ or the words of David, ‘the Lord is my Shepherd..’ How God’s word to us has retained it’s impact upon the lives of those who read and apply it throughout the centuries. How precious this word has become to so many and will continue to do so. It really does inspire us to marvel and praise God when we consider how through His Spirit we enjoy today the same dynamic eternal word that other have in generations before us and yet others (should God tarry) may still in generations to come.

A challenging word

The word of God can bring challenge at times as we read God’s instructions and learn His intended pattern for living. After all the whole focus of God’s message is to bring us not only to a knowledge of His salvation though the finished work of His Son Jesus Christ but also to cause us to become like that Son. That is all very easy until the word of God speaks into areas of our life that do not reflect God’s pattern and instruction for Christian living. If I read the Word and allow it to reach into my heart I find that it is not only my life choices that God challenges but also my thoughts and attitudes. In fact it is our disposition, the thoughts we think and attitudes we hold that are the primary focus of God’s word. God is not merely seeking obedience and conformity but transformation and renewal as we become more and more like our Saviour. There have been many times in my life when God has used His word to put His finger (as it were) right on a specific area or attitude in my life in order to bring about change. When I am in submission to God, and the leading of His Holy Spirit, then it becomes a joy for God to speak into my life. However when I am in opposition to the things God would have me change, it is then that it becomes a word of challenge. No challenge is fun at the time, but as we learn to see all things working together for good in our lives our view point changes. It is the quality of the trust and submission to Him that we hold that will determine whether the challenge is a painful or a joyful one. The truth is that at some point in our Christian journey we will find an area of our lives that has not yet been submitted. This is not necessarily because we are unwilling but it is a natural part of our growth and development as believers. We are born in sin and although saved, the Apostle Paul tells us that we must continually put to death the works of the flesh. It does not change the righteousness imparted to us through God’s grace by our faith in His Son. We are still accepted, still forgiven and still very much loved. The word teaches us that those who bear fruit He prunes (John 15v2) and that those He loves He chastens (Hebrews 12v6). He disciplines us to develop Godly character and spiritual strength. Challenge requires change and that is exactly what happens when we respond to God’s word. It is important for us to recognise that any challenge that God brings through His word is for our benefit and not to our determent. God challenges us to change because He loves us and desires the best for us. We might see this as part of the whole spiritual growing process. The good news is if God’s word is challenging us then we are very much alive spiritually. After all God isn’t in the business of correcting or pruning the spiritually dead.