- Philemon 1:6

 

     One of the most amazing truths we find in the Bible is found in the gospel of John. In the very first chapter, John states: "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1). Then, down in verse fourteen he adds: "And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld his glory, the glory of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth" (John 1:14). Stop and think about what this really means. Not only is John telling us that God and His Word are one, but he is also saying that His Word literally came into this world and took upon himself the form of a man and lived his life as a perfect expression of the nature of God.

     According to Hebrews chapter one, we find a very similar thought. It says, "Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power..." (Heb. 1:3). Notice how both passages mention God's glory, the nature of God or his person, and the Word. What all this is implying is that the Word of God has the power within itself to manifest God and to reveal his person. Along with that truth is the fact that whatever is manifested also carries a sustaining power; for it is the word of his power that is upholding everything.

     Over in Colossians chapter one, Paul brings these two thought together when he said, "For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist" (Col. 1:16, 17). Here is what is so revealing. Not only does the Word hold the beginning of all things, but it has the power to sustain or hold everything together for his divine purposes. Now that ought to speak volumes to us. Because what this is saying to us is the fact that the Word of God is not only the originator of whatever change we need to see come to pass, it is the sustainer or upholder of all that comes to pass with those changes!  

     What John begins his gospel saying is parallel to the very first words of Genesis. In both accounts we find this phrase: "in the beginning." The Hebrew word is rashiyh, and it means the first, the best, that which is chief, the choicest part or the principal thing. It is the same word used in Proverbs four, where Solomon said, "Wisdom is the principal thing..." (Pro. 4:7). The word principal is rashiyh. In other words, wisdom is the first, the best, the chief or choicest thing we have available that we should seek to live by.
     When you come over into the New Testament the word for beginning is ARCHE. We often see this as a prefix to words we are accustomed to such as: archangel or archbishop--both indicating a high position or chief position.

      But here is what is so phenomenal. There is also another use for this word ARCHE where the meaning implies an origin or a new beginning. Words where we see this used are archeology and architect. Both speak of an origin such as someone who seeks out ancient artifacts or who makes antiquities their personal study. It also refers to a planner who initiates new ideas in building new structures. When you put all of this together with the words, "In the beginning was the Word," what you discover is that the Word is the source or beginning of everything and that it is the first, the best, the chief and the choicest of all there is in life. It holds purpose, value, direction, and power.

     This is why we have to build the Word into our hearts. What occurs with us putting the Word first place in our lives and then proclaiming what the Word says is we are initiating a new beginning to where God's word can become manifested in us and through us, and where it has the power to uphold everything it is able to accomplish in us and through us.

     If you want to become an expression of all that God is, and you want to reach the summit of living the life that God himself lives then you have to let the Word take over your life. Once you give the Word its rightful place in you then it will take on flesh. In other words, it will rise up from within until you become a living epistle known and read of all men. Everything has a beginning, and your life can experience a new beginning by putting God's word to work in you today.*