Logos & Rhema Part 3

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 NKJV.

In Brief Word #159 Logos and Rhema Pt1, & Brief Word #160 Logos and Rhema Pt2, we found that Logos is not static, limited, or set. It is alive. It is the living conversation of the Trinity into which we are invited to participate. It is the sum, if that could be found, of the meaning of the conversation of the God-head.

And here’s the truth; Jesus, is, the Logos. So when we respond and enter into that conversation, (relationship), three incredible things happen. Here’s the final thought.

Thirdly, when we speak His words, (Rhema) God’s creative power is released. Because God’s spoken words as we know are powerful, creative, and Divine.

So we’re there, in the presence of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, we will undoubtedly hear their conversation, and be given specific words (Rhema’s) for specific situations. So hearing and speaking those words, His Word (Rhema), releases His amazing power.

So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:11 NKJV.

I sometimes wonder (ah well more than sometimes) about the things some of us say we believe. I’ve said on occasions, God has spoken to me, but it wasn’t actually God’s Rhema word. It may have been a good idea, a great word but it was not the Rhema God had for the situation.

Many times over the years I have learnt my lesson (and still learning) that to speak a word is one thing, but to speak a Rhema word God has quickened to me, is something very different.

I was taking my family to a new city to become the Pastor of a church there. We were staying overnight with friends, and as part of our regular reading for that night, I read the following.

He led them by a straight way, till they reached a city to dwell in. Psalm 107:7 RSV.

It was a quickened word. A Rhema word to me. I knew in my spirit it was the word of the Lord for me. From where we were staying that night to the city where we were going was about 160km of absolutely straight road! That word from the Lord sustained, encouraged and inspired us as we just knew God had led us there to be there for a time.

I think it would be true to say that the Lord does not speak to us of the major things of life very often. For some, that causes them angst in that they then say God is not speaking to them that often or even at all. But I don’t think that’s the case.

Just as with any human relationship, much of the time, there’s conversation going on. Almost all of the time. Sometimes that conversation is not about deep and extremely important things, and many times it’s about ordinary everyday-life-things. It is simply about being together, enjoying one another’s presence and not having to fill the silence, or, feeling a false sense of expectation that we must talk about deep meaningful things all the time.

The shed blood of Jesus paved the way for us to enter into that kind of relationship among the God-head.

You know, sometimes as the father of my kids, I just want to be with them. I don’t really want to talk with them about deep and meaningful things, or philosophical ideas or maybe even Doctrine. I just want to savour the moment with my kids. As with any conversation between friends and family the conversation invariably shifts in and out of the bigger issues of life. Sometimes we do, sometimes we don’t. But all the time, in every conversation and interaction whatever we are chatting about, we are strengthening the relationship between us.

Wow! In the same way our relationship with the Lord is just like that. Sometimes – but not that often I’ve found – God speaks to us about the bigger things, guiding us about the major decisions we have to make. He does. But also, I believe, there’s a conversation going on, most of the time, between the God-head and us. It’s not to be shared but it is primarily for relationship. It strengthens the bond and the relationship we have together. And trust grows to rely on Him for the things of life and to rest in Him when we don’t know stuff.

To recap. When we respond to the invitation and enter into that conversation, (relationship), three incredible things happen.

1. Firstly we become part of the conversation or the relationship between the Father, the Son and the Spirit.
2. Secondly, there is nothing hidden from any of them.
3. Thirdly, when we speak His words, (Rhema) God’s creative power is released.

Here it is again.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1 NKJV.

In John’s use of the Logos, we find that:

1. Jesus is eternal. In the beginning was the Word.
2. Jesus was with God prior to coming to earth. The Word was with God.
3. Jesus is God. The Word was God.
4. Jesus is Creator. All things were made through Him.
5. Jesus is the Giver of Life. In Him was life.
6. Jesus became human to live among us. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.

Interestingly, the opening of John’s Gospel carries a striking resemblance to

Genesis 1:1. (In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth).

Words matter. They matter a lot. They can hurt or heal, praise or profane. But as much impact as our words have, they are nothing compared to the Living Word of God, Jesus Christ.

The Word of God is God Himself. The Bible tells us that God took on human form and lived among humanity as Jesus Christ. Some religions, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormons, deny that reality. They believe that Jesus was a created being.

But such a view diminishes what God did for us in His incarnation. Knowing that God loved us enough to take on human form, come to earth, suffer, and die for us should change our lives.

Today my friend, reckon, or count on, or remember, or think about, meditate on the truth that you and I, are privileged to be in that Trinitarian union, enfolded into that conversation, wrapped into that incredible relationship, where Father, Son, and Spirit are completely One.

And so we are!

There will be a special announcement in the December Brief Word, about something coming up.

It’s going to be good. Very good!

Watch this space!