Basic Speech classes teach that the communication process requires a transmitter who accurately encodes a message and a receptor who as accurately decodes it. (No secret is involved in the coding, just the formulation of the message.) The communication of the sacred Word of God may be so viewed. In the case of God’s Word, the process requires, on God’s (the transmitter’s) part: Communication in Life and Letter.
The Word of God was transmitted by the Word who became flesh (John 1:1-3, 14). He, in real person, in flesh and blood (Hebrews 2:14), is the very caring, completely in touch communication from the throne of Heaven. Meditate upon the magnitude of the thought: God not only sent a letter, He sent a life—the very life of His only begotten Son. The Life died for us, the receptors (Philippians 2:5-7). This was no inanimate, uncaring, mandatory letter. This was God incarnate (1 Timothy 3:16). He communicated in person—in the person of His Son.
Of course, then, the message of life was recorded. The Son promised He would send the Spirit (John 16:13). He did (Acts 2:33). Those apostles who received it, and the prophets on whom the apostles laid their hands (Acts 8:14-17), recorded the message of inspiration, the very plan of salvation (Ephesians 3:5-6)! These things were written so the receptors who did not see His life would still believe (John 20:30-31) and be in full fellowship with those who did witness His glory (1 John 1:1-4). God “has in these last days spoken to us by His Son” (Hebrews 1:3) both in life and in letter.
The fullness of the message (2 Peter 1:3; 2 Timothy 3:16-17) was delivered by the only qualified Mediator between God and man, “the Man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5).
The Word also requires on God’s part: A Resurrection. The resurrection was verified by witnesses (1 Corinthians 15:1-8) and serves itself as a verification of all that Jesus claimed (Romans 1:1-4). Further, this message speaks to the very soul and deepest needs of man. Men long to overcome death (Hebrews 2:15) and can do so in the Resurrection—Jesus (John 11:25-26; 1 Corinthians 15:20-24).
On man’s part, the Word requires: Reaction. Man must not only decode the message, he must live it. Hearers of the Word have no reward unless they are also doers (James 1:22-25). Rituals of worship are no substitute for real obedience (1 Samuel 15:22; Isaiah 1:10-17).
The apostle Peter reacted rightly when given a choice to leave the Lord. He said, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Those words are living and powerful (Hebrews 4:12), but they must be obeyed to be beneficial to the receptor.
The Word requires on man’s part: Correction. The Word will pierce the heart (Acts 2:37; 7:54). People will react with obedience (Acts 2:38-41) or anger (Acts 7:55-60), but God’s Word will never return void (Isaiah 55:11). The wise hear the Word of God, allow it to pierce to the soul and spirit (Hebrews 4:12) and cause godly sorrow (2 Corinthians 7:8-9). Then, they allow that sorrow to lead to repentance (2 Corinthians 7:10). The wise take the letter of the message and make it alive in their lives.
