With His Words…

When the Lord sought to reveal Himself, He chose the mechanism of words. And even before humans entered into history, the Lord had already set in motion the creation He would use for the exercise of the revelation of Himself, Koine Greek.

Even today, Koine Greek is still considered the most precise language known to mankind. So, when the Apostle John penned his Gospel, the opening verses captured perfectly the mind and purpose 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 even one thing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. (John 1: 1-4)

And this, my friend, is the power of words.

The Latin phrase, “Cogito, ergo sum,” coined in 1637 by French philosopher René Descartes, and rendered in the English, “I think, therefore I am,” is the essence of what the Greek language entails. As John sought to prove the reality of who Jesus was—the second person in the Trinity—he looked to how the people of his day used words.

This idea of thought, as proof of existence, lends itself to our discussion to the power of words. The Greek word, Logos, according to Greek philosophy teaches that everything that is, pre-existed in thought, and the Bible takes this a step further. “Before the world began, the Word was there. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was there with God in the beginning.” Before everything else, God was. Again, we see here the power of words. The Bible tells us that God is, that He exists within the power of Himself; but it is His Word that reveals Him to us. Without the Word, Jesus, God would remain unknowable—shut away in the shadow of “what if” and “maybe.”

The Lord as the thinker, revealed His thoughts through His spoken word: the Thinker, the Thought, the Word. And you and I, much like the Father, have the privilege of setting our thoughts down in words. Whether like Francine Rivers or C.S. Lewis or even Ernest Hemmingway or Harper Lee, the choice of just how we use our words or what revelation will be had, is totally up to us.

As the Lord used His words in the book of Genesis to form creation. “And God said, Let there be light. And there was light.” (Gen. 1:3) We too are challenged to use our words for His glory and for our good. The Greek idea of thought as primal, suggests that if there is thought, then there must be a thinker, and you as a writer, you have the power, the privilege, and the responsibility to reveal both truth and light in your words.

By applying this simple yet profound test, we can see—according to the Apostle John—who God the Father is, and this revelation is done solely through the use of the written word. Oh, how wonderful it is for you and I to be enjoined with God as writers. The creative and effective use of words can be an avenue of escape and a road of deliverance. It can bring peace to a troubled mind and peace to a broken heart. By His word, I now have confidence that no matter what the storm may bring, with it, He will provide a way of escape.

When I have found myself struggling in a dark place in life it is to words that I turn; but not just any words, His words. For He has said to me, “…words are a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.”

With His words, I have found comfort. With His words I have found joy.

In His words I have been challenged, rebuked, and reformed. And It is by His word that I know that I have purpose and worth. By His word I am also told that to love Him is to be like Him… to obey Him. So, with that thought in mind—as a writer that is—I think I will use my words to bring glory to Him and light to my fellow man.

How about you, how will you use your words?

“The Law of Jehovah is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making the simple wise. The Precepts of Jehovah are right, rejoicing the heart; the Commandments of Jehovah are pure, giving light to the eyes. The fear of Jehovah is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of Jehovah are true and righteous altogether, more to be desired than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. And Your servant is warned by them; in keeping them there is great reward. Who can understand his errors? Oh, make me pure from secret faults; and keep Your servant back from presumptuous sins; do not let them rule over me; then I shall be upright, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O Jehovah, my Rock, and my Redeemer.” (Psalm 19 :7-14)

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Beliefs represented by individual authors are not necessarily shared by all members of ICW.