WHAT IS THE WORD OF GOD?

The word "word" can be defined as a single distinct meaningful element of speech or writing used with other words to complete a statement.

But in the context of the term "word of God", it is not to mean a single word used with other words to make complete meaning of a statement. The term "word of God" is used to mean a statement which proceeds from God's mouth intended to accomplish a task.

So it is not said to imply a word (verb or noun), but to define it as not being common as any other statement may be (which is by anybody else but exclusive of God's). For the word of God (who is but all holy and all righteous) comes with power, authority, all command, and sovereignty (Hebrews 4:12).

For a mere word is simply called "a word", meaning it is just a verb or a noun. But the word of God is used with the definitive, exclusive and affirmative word "the". The term "the word of God" carries infallibility, it is irreplaceable and can't be rivaled.

Rather the word "the" means: something which is of its kind or "one of its kind" for that matter. For being the word from God, it will not return to Him until it has accomplished the task for which it is spoken in whoever or wherever it is received (Isaiah 55:10-11). The word of God, never requires guessing and confirmatory examinations because it is unique in the sense that it is.

Everything (both visible and invisible) is but by the word of God. For in the beginning was the word (John 1:1). That is; everything if it was or if it is to be, it must have began with the word of God. The following are some of the characteristics of the word of God;

1. The word of God is eternal. That is all the rest may pass away but the word of God remains (Isaiah 34:4, 40:8, 51:6), (Matthew 24:35), (Luke 21:33), (Mark 13:31), (1Peter 1:25). 
2. The word of God is a consuming fire. For it burns anything to nothing and it is like a hammer that breaks the rocks to pieces (Jeremiah 23:29).
3. The word of God is the lamp unto the feet and it lightens the way (Psalms 119:105).
4. Keeping one's way pure is assured by adhering to the word of God (Psalms 119:9).
5. Blessings come from listening to and obeying the word of God (Luke 11:28).
6. Listening to and keeping the word of God is a reflection of wisdom (Matthew 7:24).
7. It is the word of God which is right and true (Psalms 33:4), (Proverbs 30:5).
8. It is the word of God which brings understanding (Psalms 119:130).
9. The destruction of Heaven and earth will be but by the word of God (2Peter 3:7).
10. Hope is but by the word of God (Titus 1:2).
11. By His word, Jesus performed one miracle after the other (Luke 5:1-11, 7:1-10, 8:22-25), (Matthew 8:5-13, 8:23-27), (Mark 4:35-41), (John 5:1-9).
12. The word of God creates confidence (1Kings 22:28).
13. The word of God is the sword of the spirit (Ephesians 6:17).

Scripture likens the word of God to a seed (Luke 8:11). That just how a seed germinates, grows and multiplies, so it is that the word of God when planted or preached for that matter, it will do the same (Luke 8:15). For the word of God propagates faith (Romans 10:17). Like a mustard seed (the least of all seeds), the word of God has the potential to grow into a large tree upon which the birds of the air will rest.

So, that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God is that; one needs the word of God so as to acquire faith. That one can't please God without faith; is to give a feel of the magnitude of the importance of faith (Hebrews 11:6). Yet faith is but by the word of God.

In that; the word of God is the seed and faith is the fruit. Thus, they are both presented in the form of  a mustard seed (Matthew 13:31-32, 13:33, 17:20-21), (Luke 13:18-19, 13:20). Yet what matters is not their size, but what matters is if they are present. For God will work regardless of what size they are. For the fact is that how little they appear does not hinder the potential in them to multiply.

The mustard seed grows into a big tree

So, anything spiritual; be it healing, or progress for that matter, begins with the word of God. For much as the flesh thrives on food, the spiritual man thrives on the word of God. The lack of the word of God causes spiritual impotence and can lead to eventual spiritual death. 

Thus for scripture to say; "...man shall not live by food alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Matthew 4:4), (Deuteronomy 8:). For man is a combination of three; flesh, soul and spirit.

For though science should have been treated as a step in trying to understand the majesty of God almighty, man has sought to use it only to challenge God's supremacy and superiority. Yet despite all the human efforts to challenge God, God remains majestic and supreme to all. God's word is therefore equally effective.

Yet away from looking at it in general terms, the word of God can be categorized into three; the Reported word of God, the Live word of God, and the living word of God. All the three categories are well scripted in the Bible.

The Reported word of God

This is the word spoken and written by the prophets, the apostles, Theology historians and the scribes. For though it seemed to have been reported and written by mere men, they only did so by the instruction and guidance of the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:21). For no one spoke after their own accord (Isaiah 43:1; 43:16, 45), (Jeremiah 5:14).

Thus the reason whether it is written by a fisherman like Peter, or by a doctor like Luke, it is all given the same treatment and it is all to be received with the same respect and hope. For it all comes from the same source and that is God.

For in the Bible is God's guidance and command to man. In the seeming literal absence of the person of God, the Bible (which is but His own word) is. Thus to say; we should be silent when the Bible is silent, and we should shout if the Bible does shout. The Bible is the main resource for instruction and the sure guidance for any and every Christian (2 Timothy 3:16-17).

We must read the Bible for proper guidance

The Live/Rhema word of God

This is the word of God spoken literally and live from God personally. That is; in this, God is not speaking through anybody. In this, God is speaking directly to the intended person. In such a case, there is no such a thing as to paraphrase. For such a statement is reported as how it has been spoken by God personally, and it is reported only by quoting.

There are countless of examples of the live word of God in the Bible. But there are also countless of unreported cases of God speaking directly to individuals. And such people will always say; "the Lord has told me...".

NB We ought to take care about the now common claim; "...the Lord has told me..."  because many people have faked it so that they can be taken seriously and win unsuspecting believer's attention and allegiance.

Scripture warns us to be careful about false prophets and teachers who come camouflaging as servants of God but only to mislead the innocent souls (Matthew 7:15), (Ezekiel 13), (Jeremiah 23:13, 27:9-10), (Nehemiah 27:9-10), (1Kings 22:1-27, 22:34-37). Nevertheless, God surely speaks literally and live as are some of the following cases in the Bible; (Numbers 14:28), (Genesis 15:13), (Acts 9), (Matthew 3:17; 17:5), (Mark 1:11).

The Living word of God

The living word of God is Jesus CHRIST. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men" (John 1:1-4).

Jesus CHRIST is the epitome or perfection for that matter, and the fulfillment of the word of God. He (Jesus) is the seal of all scripture. Thus it is that Jesus is indisputably God. For the word of God is God Himself. For God dressed up His word with human flesh and called Him Jesus (but for saving humans).

For no word is not owned. A word (regardless of how it sounds or appears for that matter) is no more or less than its source. For that matter, that Jesus is the word of God makes it that all that Jesus is, God is. It isn't therefore mistaken to look to Jesus as God. For Jesus is indeed God. On that account then, Jesus and the Father are one. And the Father can never conflict with the Son in anything. That is; Jesus and the Father are a part of each other and perfectly compatible.

On the account then that the word of God is God, it is readily agreeable amongst us all that; what the Bible tells us it is, should be the final verdict. For it is on the same account that we can quote a person and we can take them by their word. It is so because it is to reaffirm that every word has to be owned and there is no word from nowhere. Everybody therefore is what they talk, speak, or say. One is either for or against their word, but it is their word anyway.