Those who frequent this site may have noticed that I frequently preface the writer’s word using the phrase “By THE SPIRIT”. In 1 Thessalonians chapter 2, Paul wrote by THE SPIRIT:
13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because 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, which also effectively works in you who believe.
In the early church, The Word was spoken by men who were wholly led by The Holy Spirit for the Gospels and Epistles had not yet been put in written form. The anointed Word was simply spoken to the people and their hearts openly received It. By THE SPIRIT, John wrote in chapter 1:
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
2 He was in the beginning with God.
3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
The writers of the New Testament had the Word abiding in them as they recorded what was given to them from FATHER by The Holy Spirit and confirmed by the Words and actions of Our Lord Jesus Christ, thus The Word fully represents Jesus Christ as the living Word. There is no difference in reading The Word versus listening to Jesus standing before you. In John chapter 16, Jesus spoke:
28 “I came forth from the Father and have come into the world. Again, I leave the world and go to the Father.”
FATHER and HIS Word which is HIS Divine Intent cannot be separated. Neither can Jesus Christ Who is The Word made flesh nor His written Word. I can attest to this Truth by the good fruit and miracles in my life produced by trusting in The Word. No man’s logic or reasoning can convince me otherwise. The Word has absolute integrity because FATHER watches over It to perform what HE has spoken and had written by HIS SPIRIT.
We must not become lax in studying, dwelling on, and meditating on The Word. We should be careful in spending time being exposed to the world’s views, logic, and reasoning which will, by design, dilute our faith. Jesus provided us the key to being led by THE SPIRIT in John chapter 8:
31 Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, “If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.
32 And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”
Jesus spoke in John chapter 15:
4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.
6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned.
7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love.
10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.”
FATHER so Loved us HE sent HIS Word. We are to abide, remain, dwell, and express HIS Word in all aspects of our life reflecting HIS Love for mankind. Love will be the motivation of those who are truly abiding in The Word. Love will be the motivation of the remnant who are being prepared for the great harvest. Those who do not grasp this Truth will only observe the harvest from the outside looking in. Those who come to abide in The Word in Love shall know the whole Truth which will make them free of the world’s influence. As we abide in The Word and in HIS Love, we will truly be led BY THE SPIRIT.