My Favorite Verses - Vol V (Feb 17 to Jun 17)
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
An illustrated collection of brief commentaries on some of the Bible’s most beloved (and some of its least understood) passages, parables, verses & sayings
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Hebrews 4:12 … The living Word of God<br />
(05/15/20<strong>17</strong>)<br />
“Indeed, the Word of God is living and active; sharper than any two-edged sword;<br />
piercing until It divides Soul from Spirit, joints from marrow. It is able <strong>to</strong> discern the<br />
thoughts and intentions of the Heart.” ~ unknown (Hebrews 4:12)<br />
If the book of Hebrews is read “mystically” (i.e. both metaphysically &<br />
metaphorically), it rivals the Gospel of John as the best representation of The Way<br />
of Christ in the entire New Testament (outside of the words of Jesus himself, of<br />
course). Of course, if it is not, then it doesn‟t … Indeed, this particular verse<br />
claims that “the Word of God is living and active” – a sentiment in harmony with<br />
Jesus‟ belief that the Word of God is essentially perfect, selfless, unconditional<br />
Love (Matthew 5:48), and a sentiment also in harmony with Hebrews' own view --<br />
namely, that the Gospel provided in the New Testament fully trumps the Law<br />
provided in the Old Testament (see Hebrews 8:8-13).<br />
It is worthwhile <strong>to</strong> note as well that Jesus fully agreed with this particular<br />
take on the “living and active” nature of the Scriptures (see Matthew 5:<strong>17</strong>-18 –<br />
where “fulfilled” is actually the Greek pleroo, a word which meant not “<strong>to</strong> follow<br />
blindly” or “ <strong>to</strong> support”, but rather “<strong>to</strong> hone” or “<strong>to</strong> make complete” … see also<br />
Matthew 7:15-20 – where Jesus explained that the validity of Scripture &/or the<br />
prophets spouting the same was <strong>to</strong> be determined by “their Fruits,” and see also<br />
Matthew 22:37-40 – where Jesus essentially takes the ten “do not” Commandments of<br />
the Old Testament based in fear & judgment and transforms them in<strong>to</strong> his lone two<br />
“Do” Commandments founded in Grace & Love) … Note as well that it is the Word<br />
of God that is analogized with the “sword” here – just as Jesus made the same<br />
analogy when he mentioned a “sword” in the Gospels; not a sword of violence<br />
but a Sword of Truth (see Matthew 10:34 – also Matthew 26:52-55, Luke 22:36-38 &<br />
Isaiah 49:2) … Also, the phrase “dividing Soul from Spirit” (the Greek psyches,<br />
meaning “the breath of Life of the individual” – Strong‟s #5590, and the Greek<br />
pneuma<strong>to</strong>s, meaning “the all-encompassing Spirit” – see Strong‟s #4151) is quite<br />
unusual, and seems <strong>to</strong> be a reference <strong>to</strong> the difference Jesus denotes between “the<br />
Son of Man” (the ego-founded ability we all have <strong>to</strong> choose between fear & Love – see<br />
Matthew 16:24-28) and “the Son of God” (the innately Divine conscience residing<br />
within each & every sentient Heart – see John 14:20)<br />
within each & every human being … Finally,<br />
please note in closing that “the intentions of the<br />
Heart” are mentioned, alluding <strong>to</strong> the fact that it is<br />
not what we do that is salvational, but rather why<br />
(i.e. both the “for whom” – namely, for others -- and<br />
the why of the “for whom” – namely, for their benefit)<br />
we do what we do that is the deciding fac<strong>to</strong>r (see<br />
Matthew 10:8, Luke 6:35-36, John 13:15-<strong>17</strong> et al).<br />
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