GRACE GAZETTE
Volume XIIIIssue 44
Published occasionally for Zion’s mourners
Wherefore lift up the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees; And make straight paths for your feet, lest that which is lame be turned out of the way; but let it rather be healed. Hebrews 12::12-13

THE ENDURING WORD

But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. I Peter 1:25

There are two Greek words which are translated as “word” in the New Testament. One of them is “logos”, which literally means “that which is true.” It is the root word from which we get our English word “logic”. We are most familiar with it in the first verse of the Gospel of John, which says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1) Of course this is directly speaking of JESUS CHRIST. HE is the embodiment of TRUTH even as HE testified by HIS own lips, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.” (John 14:6-7)

The implication of both HIS own words and those given to John by the HOLY GHOST is that HE is exclusively that TRUTH or DOCTRINE by which a man might be given an approach to the understanding of GOD. Without HIM it is impossible that a man might come unto GOD and that one can find no understanding of GOD and HIS purpose except it be by and through HIM.

This is the utter destruction of the notion that there is some other truth to be discovered about the person and purpose of GOD in the earth by or through some other spokesman or prophet. This is exactly what Paul said, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Gal 1:8) He described the “gospel” to which any “other gospel” is to be compared when HE said, “For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified.” (1Cor 2:2)

The greatest deceivers upon the earth are those who come saying such things as “we believe JESUS CHRIST is a great prophet.”, or “we believe that CHRIST taught much truth”, or “we believe that CHRIST died on the cross”, and then add the word “BUT” after it. There are no “BUTS” with CHRIST. HE is unequivocally the SALVATION of HIS people. HE is without peer or rival as the ONLY PROPHET of GOD, the FINAL WORD. HIS redemption is the only requirement for those who are saved, and HE has unfalteringly obtained it for those for whom HE has shed HIS precious blood. To put a “but” into the declaration of what CHRIST has accomplished is to overturn the absolute basis of HIS work and to deny the substance of what HE conveyed when HE said, “I AM the WAY”.

The other Greek word which we see translated as “word” is “rhema”, which literally means, “that which is uttered or spoken”. It is this word which is set forth in our text as Peter describes the very substance and power of the Gospel. The Gospel does not exist because men speak it, nor does it derive any of its power from their lips, fine oratory, or persuasive arguments, yet it is truly “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” (Rom 1:16)

The “power” of the Gospel comes from the SUBJECT of the Gospel, which is JESUS CHRIST, the WORD of GOD. The communication of that TRUTH, though vouchsafed unto men who are sent with it, into the earth, does not achieve success through their efforts but rather through the operation of the SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST (the LOGOS) as HE speaks the word (rhema) unto those whose ears HE is pleased to open.

This “rhema” is said by Peter to “endure forever” so it cannot be that which is simply spoken by mortal men whose life is as a vapor and withers and dies as mown grass in the noonday sun. It is clearly that word which is spoken by HIM who is eternal, and whose word endures because HE is ETERNAL.

This word is spoken with the same authority and creating power as that which brought the worlds into being and is that which causes those who are awakened by the SPIRIT to hear that WORD. Thus Paul exhorts Timothy, “Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God; Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel: Whereunto I am appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles.” (2Tim 1:8-11)

Paul understood that he was merely a courier boy, one who is sent with a message which is authored by another. He understood that he had no authority to reinterpret the message, to add his own spin to it, or to try to make it more appealing to its hearers, nor did he have the mandate to offer it on the street corner to the lowest bidder. This is exactly what he told the Corinthians, “And I, brethren, when I came to you, came not with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring unto you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified. And I was with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” (1Cor 2:1-5)

It is this “enduring word” which we hope to be declaring with our dying breath, knowing that we are but a cheap commodity, easily replaced (see Mat.3:8) and whose only authority and mandate is that of the KING of kings and LORD of lords. The gospel is HIS message to be delivered as HE sees fit and to those to whom HE is pleased to send it. Men can add nothing to it except confusion, pride, and deceit as is manifested in the methodologies and fleshly philosophy with has been added to it by those who have no concept of whose power it is that brings TRUTH to light.

This is an “enduring word” because HE who speaks it, formed the worlds out of nothing and holds all together according to the good pleasure of HIS will. “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)

This is an “enduring word” because that Gospel which is therein spoken, has been tested and proved true in the fires of affliction, persecution, and opposition by the enemies of the TRUTH. “But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God. “ (Act 20:24)

This is an “enduring word” because HE who speaks it, cannot lie or change one word of it, because of HIS immutability and absolute faithfulness to those who are the objects of HIS love. “In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began.” (Tit 1:2)

This is an “enduring word” because it forms the basis of all praise throughout the ages to come. “Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (Rev 5:9) “And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Rev 14:6-7)

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