The Incorruptible Word (Part 2)

Ben F Vick, Jr.

The word of God is life-giving. Jesus said, "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit (-filled), and they are life (-giving)" (John 6:63). Jesus came that we might have life, and that we might have it more abundantly. He came to give us better life here, and ultimately in the hereafter (John 10:10; 1 Timothy 4:8). Paul wrote, "For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:2). This incorruptible word is the law of the Spirit of life. If the incorruptible word, the truth, is obeyed, it will purify us. It is the instrument by which we are made free (1 Peter 1:22; John 8:32).

The incorruptible seed works quietly, silently. If we will just sow it, it will fall into good ground. As I write these lines I am in farm country in Illinois, just a few hundred yards from the Illinois-Indiana state line. All around me are fields of green corn, blowing in the wind. Just a few weeks ago the farmers were in these plowed fields planting the seed. From the nutrients in the soil, and the sunshine and the rain, the seeds began to germinate and spring up from the ground. Quietly over a few days, after the farmers had carefully planted the seed and with God's care, the corn came forth. God's word, the seed of the kingdom (Luke 8:11), works the same way. The farmers did not try to excite the crowd in order that it might urge the crop to grow. The seed corn was planted, it silently germinated beneath God's earth and then quietly it came forth. There is no fanfare; there are no appeals to those watching to cheer the crop on. Just natural law taking place. The same is true in the spiritual kingdom, the church. Just plant the seed, the word of God, into the hearts of honest and good people. The seed will germinate and grow. If time is granted, the harvest will take place. Let us be busy sowing the seed of the kingdom, brother.

Like the inheritance that awaits, the incorruptible, undefiled word will not fade away. However unlike the inheritance which is reserved in heaven, this living word is available. It is for us now. It is not in prospect nor promise; it is accessible to all today through various languages. Just as the word of the king Ahasuerus went out in various languages in the time of Esther, so God's word is going forth in various languages today. The historian wrote, "Then were the king's scribes called at that time in the third month, that is, the month Sivan, on the three and twentieth day thereof; and it was written according to all that Mordecai commanded unto the Jews, and to the lieutenants, and the deputies and rulers of the provinces which are from India unto Ethiopia, an hundred twenty and seven provinces, unto every province according to the writing thereof, and unto every people after their language, and to the Jews according to their writing, and according to their language" (Esther 8:9).

All men shall meet the incorruptible word of God in the judgment one day. All men will give an account to Christ, according to God's word. Jesus said, "He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day" (John 12:48). John's version of the judgment scene also shows that all men will give an account for their lives, according to this incorruptible word (Revelation 20:11-15).