The Meaning of Living by God's Word

 The Meaning of Living by God's Word

 

Church pastors often say that we must live by God's Word. What does it mean to live by God's Word? We can think of three types. The first is the legalistic perspective. The second is the love of God and love of people based on the commandments. The third is to realize the meaning in God's Word and act accordingly.

First, from the perspective of legalism, it is about a believer trying hard to live according to the words of all 66 books of the Bible. Even if he cannot live according to the words perfectly, when he tries to live as best he can, God appreciates his efforts.

Those who try to live according to the word of God based on legalism are those who try to show off their own righteousness. Regarding the meaning of Jesus' death on the cross, they only believe that Jesus died in my place for my sins, but they do not live a life of complete self-denial. A life of self-denial is believing that I also died on the cross with Jesus. Those who are dead to the world and dead to sin. Those who love the world (money) and say they love God are those who only say so in words. And those who say they are dead to sin but believe that they must be forgiven of their sins every day are ultimately not dead to sin.

Second, love of God and love of neighbor based on the commandments. John 14:15 “If ye love me, keep my commandments.” And in 14:21 “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.”

All the words of the Bible are ultimately about love for God and love for people, and when believers realize this, they will know what it means to live according to the words of God. When believers give to their closest, needy neighbors, it is ultimately about loving their neighbors and loving God. That is why they usually use the parable of the Good Samaritan. From a human perspective, it sounds reasonable.

When Jesus said, “Keep the commandments,” the commandments imply God’s love and neighborly love. If God’s love and neighborly love are focused on helping the needy, then they are people who do not know God’s will. Even if they are not Christians, they can do these things in other religions.

Third, the saints realize the meaning in the words of God and act on them. All the Bible teaches that humans are sinners, and that humans are spiritually dead from birth. Salvation is the revival of the spirit. No one can be saved without Christ, and salvation is when we believe that we die on the cross with Jesus and are resurrected with new life in the present, and the spirit comes alive. When we convey this to our neighbors, it is love for our neighbors, and it is love for God.

Ultimately, love is what revives the dead spirit. Keep this word (commandment) in your heart and practice it. Regarding practice, the Bible tells us to abandon legalism, abandon worldly thoughts, and preach the word of life. The word of life is the death of the cross and the present resurrection.

What is wrong with doing good to a neighbor who is suffering materially and is suffering from illness? It is a good thing. However, the most important thing is to revive the dead spirit. Material good deeds without this are not the essence of love. Love (agape) is to revive the dead spirit of a neighbor, and that is why God came to the world in the flesh. It is important to go to a far country and do missionary work, but isn’t it more important to turn to my neighbor and revive the dead spirit?