Young Adults' Group

The Implanted Word

by Pastor Mark
September 22, 2016

Receiving the word of God

At YAG, we are coming to the end of our study of the book of Hebrews. There have been many lessons learned through the course of our study of this wonderful book. But how much of what we have received and learnt have become part of our lives?

The word of God of is not just meant to be heard only. It has to be applied into our lives…to become part of our faith. It matters how we receive the word of God.

The implanted word in our lives

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21)

In describing the word of God, the writer James used the word “implanted.” In Greek, it is “emphutos” which is made up of two words, “in” and “grow”. It is something that has been engrafted and will grow into being part of.

The word of God is meant to be implanted or engrafted into our life. When we receive the word of God, it should become firmly established in us. It becomes part of our life…living in us.

Has the word of God become engrafted into our life? How much of Hebrews has become the implanted word in us? Let us be challenged to receive with meekness the word of God that it may be implanted into our lives.

Things that we need to lay aside

The word of God can be prevented from being implanted in us. James gave the challenge to deal with the things that cause this. The word “lay aside” in Greek is “apotithémi” which means to lay off or to put aside. The author of Hebrews used the same word with regards to the weights of life, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us.” (Hebrews 12:1) As we run the race of faith, we should lay off or put aside the weights and the sins of our life. In the same way, we should lay off and put aside the sins in our life that can prevent the word from implanting in us. What are these sins?

1. All filthiness…anything that is dirty morally
2. Overflow of wickedness…abundance of evil

These sins can prevent us from receiving the word of God well. It can also prevent the word of God from being engrafted into our life. Let us be challenged to lay aside our sins.

For the purpose of the saving of our soul

“which is able to save your souls.” (James 1:21)

What is the purpose of the word of God being implanted in us? The word “is able” in Greek is “dunamai” which means “to have the power to do”. This is the efficacy of the word of God. It has the power to be able to save our soul. The use of the present infinitive tense indicates that the word of God is always powerful and able. It also indicates purpose…the purpose of the implanted word is to save our soul. This is not about salvation but rather the saving of our inner soul which is filled with sin and evil. Let us be challenged to receive the word of God well and to ensure the word of God is truly implanted into our lives.

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