LIVING BY THE WORD

LIVING BY THE WORD
John 1:1, 14; Psalm 119:9-11, 33-35, 89, 105
The „word‟ in this message refers to the Bible, the word of God. The Bible has many
other names. It is called „the Holy Scriptures,‟ the Law, Precepts, Testimony,
Commandment, among others (Acts 19:7). The Bible is written through God‟s divine
revelation and inspiration and is to be used for doctrine, reproof, Correction (Discipline)
and instruction (teaching) in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). It is from the Bible that
we know that God created the heaven and the earth. And that He created man in His
own image to have dominion (control) over all His creation. The Bible tells us how sin
entered the world and separated man from God (Romans 3:23). Also, how God provided
the way of salvation through Jesus His Son (John 3:16). Living by the word, means
your life is influenced by the word of God in all you do. Guide you in the way you think,
speak, dress, behave and relate to God and other people.
1. THOSE WHO CAN LIVE BY THE WORD: Matthew 11:28.
Jesus is the main message of the Bible (Luke 24:27). For you to fully understand the
Bible, live by it and enjoy the blessings in it; you must first receive Jesus as your
Saviour. The Bible tells us that everyone has one eternal home, heaven or hell.
Whosoever turns away from his sins and believe in the Lord Jesus as his Saviour will
escape the judgment of God. But those who reject Jesus shall be damned (Mark 16:16)
and live in hell eternally.
Stubborn children living in disobedience, telling lies, cheating, stealing and using
abusive language cannot live by the word. Only those that have answered the call of
Jesus in Matthew 11:28 and have been given the power to become children of God
(John 1:12) that can live by the word of God. To answer the call of Jesus and escape
eternal damnation, you need to take the following steps of faith to be saved.
(i) Realize that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself. (ii)Confess all the bad things
you have done, repent and forsake them. (iii)Ask God to cleanse your heart with the
blood of Jesus. (iv) Invite Jesus into your heart as your personal Lord and Saviour and
(v) Believe that you are saved. Now you can begin to live by the word.
2. CHARACTERISTICS OF THOSE WHO ARE LIVING BY THE WORD:
Hebrews 12:14; 1 John 2:15.
The word characteristic means a pattern of behaviour. A life of holiness is the only way
to please God and be qualified to make heaven at last. The life of a child living by the
word will show the following pattern of behaviour. (a) Love for God: He will not love
anything more or place any interest (idol) above God. (b) Love for God‟s Word: He will
love, study, meditate upon and obey the word of God every day (Psalm 119:11; 2
Timothy 3:15). (c) Prayerfulness: Jesus, our perfect example lived a prayerful life (Luke
18:1; Mark 1:35). It is the only way to receive God‟s blessings and be successful in life.
His prayer life will be fervent (e) Preaching the word: (Mark 16:15). This is an
assignment that Jesus gave all His friends before He went to heaven after He rose from
death. The child must go and tell sinners about the love of God and bring them to
Jesus. (f) Fruitfulness (Galatians 5:22-23). The life of that child will reflect love,
kindness, gentleness and consideration for others. Such a child will shine as light for
others to see and come to Jesus.
3. BLESSINGS OF LIVING BY THE WORD: Joshua 1:8.
These are the blessings that children who live by the word of God will enjoy: Joy and
peace of the Lord in their hearts. Answers to prayers, success in every area of their
lives. Provision, protection, victory over sin and Satan and everlasting life in heaven at
last.