Have you ever wondered, if there is anything in this world that will last for eternity? We know that one day this earth will be extinct. This world we live in, is temporal. Our lives here on earth will come to an end. The only thing in this world that will last for eternity, is the word of God. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away (Mt 24:35, NewRSV). We know that the Bible is the word of God, and the Bible tells us that Jesus Christ is the Word of God.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. What has come into being in him was life, and the life was the light of all people, and the Word became flesh and lived among us, and we have seen his glory, the glory as of a Father’s only Son. (Jh 1:1-4,14)

Although we humans are mortals, by the grace of God, we too can live for eternity. For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life (Jh 3:16). When we receive Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour, the Holy Spirit transforms us into eternal beings. Which means that we are born again spiritually and even when our mortal bodies die, we who are in Jesus Christ, are raised from the dead and we will live for eternity. You have been born anew, not of perishable but of imperishable seed, through the living and enduring word of God (1 Pt 1:23).

We all know that our mortal body is made up of what we eat. As the common saying goes, ‘You are what you eat’. Likewise, our spiritual body needs spiritual food, which is the word of God. If we do not eat, we will not survive. Similarly, when we do not study, meditate, read and obey the word of God, we too die spiritually. Therefore, people who do not live by the word of God are spiritually dead as they have no eternal life in them. The word of God is our spiritual and eternal food. ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Mt 4:4). When a person eats nutritious food, he will stay healthy, but the fact of life is that, even the healthiest person will surely die. However, those who live by the word of God will live for eternity.

Do not work for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures for eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. For it is on him that God the Father has set his seal.”  Then they said to him, “What must we do to perform the works of God?”  Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.”  So they said to him, “What sign are you going to give us then, so that we may see it and believe you? What work are you performing?  Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”  Then Jesus said to them, “Very truly, I tell you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven.  For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.” They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”  Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty. (Jh 6:27-35)

This does not mean that you should not work for a living, it means that you should not just focus on your physical and temporal needs, but you must believe and obey the word of God. The word of God is powerful, it transforms life. I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1:16). This word of God is God himself who is living, enduring, comforting, exhorting, sanctifying, justifying, renewing, transforming, eternal and immortal.

The word of God is infallible and inerrant. All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that everyone who belongs to God may be proficient, equipped for every good work (2 Ti 3:16-17). The Bible is never outdated as it is the eternal word of God, which was in the beginning, is now at this present time and ever shall be until the end of times and will continue for eternity.

“Do not think that I have come to abolish the law or the prophets; I have come not to abolish but to fulfil.  For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not one letter, not one stroke of a letter, will pass from the law until all is accomplished.  Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, will be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. (Mt 5:17-20)

It is impossible for mankind to live according to God’s standard by their own ability and therefore, Jesus Christ came to fulfil the law and the prophecy. Since Jesus Christ paid the atonement for our sins, we can live according to God’s standard because of the grace of God offered to us through the Holy Spirit, who enables us to do so. Every time we obey the word of God and enable and encourage others to live according to the word of God, God will bless us greatly. However, when we disobey God’s word and teach others the same, then we will be the least in God’s kingdom. Therefore, it is the responsibility of every Christian to obey God’s word and teach others to do the same.

Every age, every generation, every culture bows its knee to the word of God. We try to recontextualise the word of God to our culture so that we can understand it better. However, the problem arises when we uplift our culture and restrain the word of God. The word of God does not adapt to the culture, it is the culture that needs to adapt to the word of God. Culture as we know is the social behaviour and human standards found in societies. God’s word warns us to stay uncontaminated from this world. Don’t copy the behaviour and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect (Rom 12: 2 NLT). In every age, God is warning us not to conform to the standards of the nation. You shall not follow the practices of the land of Egypt, where you used to live, or the practices of the land of Canaan, where I am bringing you. You must not walk in their customs (Lev 18:3). God greatly cares about our well-being and wants us to do what is right. The reason God wants us to stay uncontaminated is because worldly ways will always destroy us. However, the word of God will sanctify us.

The word of God ministers to every culture and time, it is living and breathing. The Holy Spirit helps us to understand the word of God and apply it to our lives, our circumstances and our culture. The word of God, the Gospel was written on the culture of that time. Nevertheless, it speaks and brings forth life in a different time and culture today and will continue to do so forever. If you desire to personally meet Jesus Christ, then embrace the word of God, read it, meditate on it, study it and this holy word will manifest in your life. When you accept the word of God, you will receive Jesus Christ and then, God the Father and God the Son, will baptise you with their Holy Spirit, and the eternal word of God will transform you and recreate in you the nature of God, and you will have eternal life dwelling in you.

Is your life modelled by the word of the living God or is it conformed to the standards and behaviours of this world? Do you have eternal life within you or are you lost and heading for damnation? Do you have the courage to accept the true word of God or are you weak to succumb to the lies of the devil? Are you living a higher life according to the will of God or are you living a low life according to the standards of this world, that take you down to the pit of hell? Many people get offended by the word of God, for the message about the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (1 Cor 1:18). People were offended at Jesus’ teaching and stopped following Him. Jesus asked his disciples if they wanted to leave him as well. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom can we go? You have the words of eternal life (Jh 6:68). Jesus is asking you the same question; are you offended with His teachings, do you also want to leave Him as well? As you read this article, I pray, that your response is the same as Peter. “Lord, to whom can we go? You alone have the words of eternal life.”

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