The Christian’s invincible weapon

Hidden below street level in the old town of Geneva, Switzerland, is a monument that stands as a testimony to the events that took place there 500 years earlier.

The Reformation Wall stands 30 feet high and 300 feet long. It pays tribute to the Protestant Reformation. It shows the four leading figures of the Reformation and their commitment to the Word of God. William Farel, Theodore Beza and John Knox are prominently displayed. But standing resolutely in the center is the greatest theologian, the great expositor — John Calvin.

Calvin stands among the four as the dominant figure. He is slightly taller, more erect and poised. Both of his hands are on the Bible. One hand is on the Old Testament and the other is on the New Testament. Calvin had no weapon but the Bible. He taught the Bible every day and Geneva was transformed. The Reformation spread from Geneva to France, and even to England, through his efforts.

Hebrews 4:12-13 is one of the most dynamic, powerful pictures of the Word of God. The author likens it to a sharp, double-edged sword. It is the Christian’s invincible weapon. You must unsheath it and wield it and use it with stunning effectiveness. Hebrews 4:12-13 gives seven characteristics of the Word of God.

First, the Bible is the divine Word. Verse 12 begins, “For the Word of God is …” It begins at the most basic level. The scriptures we teach are the voice of God. It is God’s book and God’s message. There is only one primary author and that is God. Hundreds of times in the Old Testament it reads, “Thus saith the Lord.” The Apostle Paul said, “When you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the Word of God,” (1 Thessalonians 2:13). It is a divine message with divine authority.

Second, the scriptures are the living Word. Verse 12 continues, “For the Word of God is living.” Martin Luther said, “This book has legs. It runs after me. This book speaks to me.” Moses said that God’s Word is life. The Apostle Peter says he had “been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the Word of God which lives and abides forever,” (1 Peter 1:23). The Bible is more up-to-date than tomorrow’s newspaper. It is alive.

Third, it is dynamic or energetic. Verse 12 says, “For the Word of God is living and powerful.” How powerful is the Word? It has power to save (John 5:34). It has power to sanctify (John 17:17). It has power to satisfy (Psalm 119:103). It has power to strengthen (Joshua 1:7). It has power to steer (Psalm 119:105). It will energize your life.

Fourth, it is the razor sharp Word. Verse 12 states it is “sharper than any two-edged sword.” It is sharper than the sharpest instrument in the world. It cuts with razor sharp precision. There is not a boring verse in the Bible. It is a two-edged sword. It both cuts the afflicted and afflicts the comfortable. It saves and it damns. It softens and it hardens. It exposes sin by conviction and covers up sin by forgiveness.

The fifth characteristic is that it is the piercing Word; “piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow,” (verse 12). When handled correctly, the Bible pierces and penetrates. People set up barriers. They try to cover themselves with the thin veneer of religion. They hide behind the mask of hypocrisy. The Bible penetrates not to harm, but to heal. Only the Word of God can get to the bottom of a person’s life. It points to Jesus. It is Jesus who died and paid for our sins. It is Jesus who offers forgiveness and eternal life.

Sixth, it is the judging Word “and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account,” (verses 12b-13). The Bible causes a person to say, “I am a sinner and I need a Savior.” Liberal critics want to judge the Word of God. It is not the Bible that is on trial. We are on trial. The sinner is stripped bare and entirely exposed before a holy God. The dirty rags of self-righteousness are no longer sufficient. The sinner stands naked before a holy God.

Finally, it is the saving Word. It judges to bring sinners to Christ that they might receive forgiveness and mercy. Be diligent to enter into the finished work of Christ on the cross. Your sins were laid on Jesus. He died as a substitute for your sins and mine. The payment Jesus made brings sinners into the glorious state of no condemnation before God. Cry out to Jesus today. He will save you.

If you are to be used by God, you must be a man of one book. No victory was ever won with the sword sheathed. Don’t attempt open-heart surgery with a butter knife. Put down all the plastic utensils and pick up the sharp, two-edged sword of the Word of God. You will not be disappointed.

Ethan Hansen is pastor for Faith Bible Fellowship in Big Lake, Contact him at ethanchansen@gci.net.