There are four passages in the New Testament where adjectives are used to describe “the Word of God” and where we are informed of our responsibility toward it as such.

For example, in James 1:21 it is called the “engrafted” or “implanted” Word, and as such we are advised to “receive” it “with meekness” since it is “able to save [our] souls.” The Word of God, indeed, does have a way of getting down underneath, of getting “under our skins,” so to speak. It is not merely sown, it is planted into men’s hearts and often makes them miserable as it convicts them of sin and of their need of salvation through Christ. When it does this, says the Apostle: “receive” it “with meekness” for it is “able to save your souls.”

Then, in Titus 1:9, it is called “the faithful Word,” and as such we are urged to “hold it fast.” “God is not a man, that He should lie, neither the son of man, that He should repent.” We can safely count on His Word and act upon it.

Next, in Philippians 2:16 the Bible is called “the Word of life,” and as such we are to “hold it forth.” The Word of God alone has power to regenerate and give spiritual life. St. Peter says that believers are “born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth forever” (I Pet. 1:23). Thus we should “hold it forth” to lost men as their only hope of eternal life.

Finally, in II Tim. 2:15 it is called “the Word of truth,” and as such we are told to “rightly divide it.” If we fail to rightly divide it, we can change the truth into error, for God has not always dealt the same with mankind. Abel had to bring an animal sacrifice for salvation (Heb. 11:4). The children of Israel were told to “keep” the law “indeed” to find acceptance with God (Ex. 19:5,6). But later Paul declared by divine inspiration: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Spirit” (Titus 3:5).

To the Reader:

Some of our Two Minutes articles were written many years ago by Pastor C. R. Stam for publication in newspapers. When many of these articles were later compiled in book form, Pastor Stam wrote this word of explanation in the Preface:

"It should be borne in mind that the newspaper column, Two Minutes With the Bible, has now been published for many years, so that local, national and international events are discussed as if they occurred only recently. Rather than rewrite or date such articles, we have left them just as they were when first published. This, we felt, would add to the interest, especially since our readers understand that they first appeared as newspaper articles."

To this we would add that the same is true for the articles written by others that we continue to add, on a regular basis, to the Two Minutes library. We hope that you'll agree that while some of the references in these articles are dated, the spiritual truths taught therein are timeless.

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