THE WORD WAS GOD
John 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 The same was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. 4 In him was life; and the life was the light of men. 14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
The spoken word is a vehicle of expression for the inner thought. Luke 6:45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh. Therefore by man’s words, revealing his heart, he shall be judged. Matthew 12:37 For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.
And the words of Jesus were from a revelation of the heart of God the Father. John 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Therefore to hear him was to hear the Father.
The Word was God. This short phrase reveals to us that the Word, like the Father is eternal! John 8:58 Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Take note: Abraham WAS! This is past tense. But, I AM! And this is always present tense! Whether it be stated in the past, or the present, or off in the future. He is always, “I am!”
John 17:5 And now, O Father, glorify thou me with thine own self with the glory which I had with thee before the world was. 24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
1 Peter 1:19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot: 20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you,
Revelation 13:8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.
John Calvin speaks of this as “an eternal generation.” We have to be regenerated, but the Word was eternally generated from the Father.
Then we read, “the Word was with God.” And this reveals to us that the Word is in distinction from God. For God the Father is not God the Son. And God the Son is not God the Father! Proverbs 8:22 The LORD possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 25 Before the mountains were settled, before the hills was I brought forth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him:…
Consider the following two verses, from the very mouth of the Lord Jesus: John 10:30 I and my Father are one. John 14:28 Ye have heard how I said unto you, I go away, and come again unto you. If ye loved me, ye would rejoice, because I said, I go unto the Father: for my Father is greater than I.
How are we to understand that? For in the first verse we read that he is equal to the Father. But in the second verse he says that the Father is greater. We must keep in mind that the Lord Jesus Christ is both very man and very God! Therefore speaking as very God, he correctly states that He and His Father are one. But then speaking as the Son of man he relates to us that the Father is greater. However, in his office as Mediator, he is subservient to the Father.
We can also see this in Isaiah’s writings. Isaiah 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. For as the Son of man, in his human nature it correctly states, “a child is born.” Luke 1:30 And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. 31 And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS.
And then concerning His eternal Being it also relates, “a son is given.” For God so loved that he gave his only begotten Son! He was “God manifest in the flesh.” Yet in both he is said to also be “The mighty God, The everlasting Father.” It is truly as the Apostle writes to Timothy, “Great is the mystery of godliness!”
And the Lord spoke of the nature of his dependent relation to the Father in order to reveal to us the spiritual dependance we have, by faith with Himself. John 6:54 Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day. John 6:57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me.
And there was the Oneness of both the Father’s and Son’s delight with the sons of men. For the Father was delighted with His Son, while the Son was delighted with the sons of men. Therefore we see that we were loved in the Son by the Father from all eternity. Proverbs 8:30a … and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
Let us also see some of the characteristics of the Word.
1.) He always brings light! Psalm 119:130 ¶ The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. We can see this clearly in the creation. For when we read, “God said,” the light appeared. Genesis 1:3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
And our Lord, the Word, states that he was not only the light of creation, but also the light of life in salvation! John 8:12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
And He is the source of all human reasoning and understanding! John 1:9 That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. 1 John 5:20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.
2.) He alone is the source of all true faith! Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
And this God-granted faith both pleases God, and overcome the world. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 1 John 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
3.) The Word alone may recover the glory which sin lost! Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
And the revelation of that glory renders us both belief, progressive sanctification and glorification!
Belief! – John 2:11 This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him. Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life; 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God.
Progressive sanctification! – 2 Corinthians 3:18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
Glorification! – 1 John 3:2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Revelation 21:24 And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: (that is, the church), and the kings of the earth (borned again believers), do bring their glory and honour into it.
Revelation 1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen. 5:10 And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
4.) The Word is forever settled and changeless! Psalm 119:89 For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.
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