The Word of God

All of Scripture is God-breathed; in its inspired voice, we hear useful teaching, rebuke, correction, instruction, and training for a life that is right so that God’s people may be up to the task ahead and have all they need to accomplish every good work.  (2 Tim. 3:16 – 17, Voice)  

This past Sunday, we began exploring our understanding that the Bible is The Word of God, and the Word of God is Jesus! We turned to John’s Gospel that begins, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1). 

Here “the Word” is translated in Greek to the word logos. John’s use of logos is unique and has often been rendered by most translations as “Word.” While this is a useful translation, even a casual understanding demonstrates that “Word” reflects only part of its meaning. Most readers will interpret “word” as a unit of language—a combination of sounds generally spoken but also written—that carries meaning. To understand what John means, readers need something more than their cultural understanding of “word”; they need a new way of thinking about it.   

This is why one unique translation, The Voice, has chosen to offer another rendering, an interpretive, poetic translation, of what may be one of the most theologically loaded words in Scripture. Since logos is essentially connected to the act of speaking or bringing thoughts to expression, this translation has decided to use the word “voice” to capture that reality. John declares that truth has culminated in the person of Jesus. No single word captures the complete meaning of logos, but “voice” has several advantages.  

First, “voice” manifests the act of speaking. Voice is that which is spoken and that which is heard; it comes on both sides of any communication event, bridging the gap between sender and receiver. John intends that in Jesus God is speaking and revealing Himself to the world.  

Second, a voice is distinct and personal. We can distinguish people from one another simply by their voices. In John 10 Jesus describes the fact that the sheep hear the voice of the shepherd when he calls and they follow, but they refuse to follow a stranger because they do not know his voice (John 10:1-5). John desires that we know Jesus as the Son of God and believe in Him personally as the Good Shepherd.  

Third, “voice” is dynamic in that it reflects the robust and powerful activity of a living God. It is historical in that any act of speaking comes to expression and takes place in the real world as a “voice” calling, demanding a response. It challenges any notion that the Christian faith can be reduced to rules, propositions, or doctrines that can be merely believed or dismissed and not lived out in our lives. Since in Jesus God is speaking and revealing Himself to the world, and since in Jesus we hear the Voice of God, then this new reality changes everything so we, too, must change. 

This is why beginning in January 2025 we are challenging the community of faith to read the entire bible over the course of the year – to encounter Jesus and to listen for God’s voice speaking to you!   I encouraged each member to begin making a reading plan now, so you will be ready come January.  

I want to leave with you with 3 tips for making the most of a reading plan:  

1. First, keep a schedule. If you’re going to succeed at keeping up with a Bible reading plan, you need to make an appointment for Bible reading just like you’d do with anything else you’d schedule.  

2. Second, consider reading through your plan with a partner or a small group (Mike Folsom’s Sunday School class is one group). Accountability is important to maintain consistency.  

3. Third, make sure you find the right Bible to use as you follow your plan. There isn’t a single right Bible translation or edition for everyone. We all prefer to read in different ways. (For those who do not own a bible yet, I also encouraged you to purchase your own bible by the end of the year… this would make an excellent Christmas gift on your “wish list”!)  

You may feel discouraged if you fall behind in your reading plan, but don’t be. Remember, the beauty of a Bible reading plan is that it gets you reading the Bible and hearing the voice of God – and that’s always a good thing, even if you miss some days, or fall behind.  

Reflection 

• Do you own a bible? What translation is it? Is it the right translation for the season of faith you are in right now?  

• How often do you currently read your bible?  

Challenge  

This November, before or after worship, explore the display table outside the sanctuary and determine which reading plan is right for you. Commit to reading the bible more in 2025.    

Pray 

Gracious God, we do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from your mouth. Make us hungry for this heavenly food, that it may nourish us today in the ways of eternal life, through Jesus Christ, the bread of heaven. Amen.