The Word
“But the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith [melted together with (Norw.)] in those who heard it.” Heb. 4:2 [Emphasis added].
John writes, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.”
The Word is received by hearing, and if it is to be of any profit, it must be mixed with faith in the hearer. The Word destroys preconceptions and misconceptions. It sheds light on delusions and penetrates the darkness of our unconscious being. The Word brings life and creates fruitful ground where previously there was only emptiness, thorns and thistles.
You can hear the Word either through a God-fearing person or directly from God’s Spirit. Extremely few are able to believe the Word just by hearing the Spirit’s voice. Generally people find it hard to believe, even if it comes through three or four people as well as the testimony of the Spirit in their own heart. This is unbelief, and it hinders the Word from being mixed together with that person.
The Word is also called “He.” “He was in the beginning with God.” John 1:2.
When you acknowledge and receive the Word, “He” is revealed, namely Christ, who dwells in our hearts through faith.
This “He” is not only as Christ was in eternity, before the world was—a Christ without us—but rather He is a Christ who melts together with our very being. We have become one Spirit with Him, one life with Him. We are melted together into one person with Him by faith. This is our salvation. Sin and unbelief are driven out of our human spirit, our mind and our consciousness. We are no longer in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in us. Rom. 7:5; 8:8-9. This is true to the extent that the Word has penetrated our consciousness by faith. But Christ surpasses all understanding, so all the days of our lives, He becomes “one way” to walk on and “one bread” to eat.
He has become a life-giving Spirit. For this to happen, He had to establish a death in the body. Blood had to flow to wash away all sin. This includes sin “outside the body” and sin “in the body.”
“In Him [in the Word] was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.” John 1:4-5 [Emphasis added]. Wherever the Word penetrates, life and light come and death and darkness vanish.
Never resist the Word—this glorious, life-giving and enlightening Word. But resist Satan, and he will flee from you.
Johan O. Smith
First time published in Hidden Treasures in June-1920 (editoral notice).