The Two-Edged Sword

The Two-Edged Sword

“For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Heb. 4:12.

God’s Word cuts in two directions. It shows us how we ought to live, and how we ought not to live. It judges the sinner and the unrighteous; it shows those who suffer injustice and evil how to conduct themselves. The Word of God does not offer anyone an excuse for not suffering if he sins, irrespective of who he is. Jesus learned obedience by the things He suffered. The fact that He was reviled did not give Him a reason for reviling again, etc. The important thing for us personally is that we do not have to suffer because of sin. It is no loss for us if we suffer because of the others’ sins—on the contrary! If we suffer because we do good, “this is commendable before God,” if only we do not sin ourselves. 1 Pet. 2:19-22. God’s Word judges those who revile and those who revile again, those who commit evil and those who avenge themselves. It is two-edged.

“Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.” 1 Pet. 4:19. “‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Rom. 12:19.

If someone suffers evil or is backbitten, he feels he stands on a foundation of righteousness and has God’s Word on his side to judge the one who has committed an injustice. He can speak the Word of God very pointedly, but it only cuts in one direction. But why does he speak God’s Word in just one direction? Because he himself has to suffer. There is vengeance in what he says. He wants to judge things not because he is zealous in the fear of the Lord, but because he is zealous to get at the sinner. He has a complaint against someone whom he has not forgiven. Col. 3:13. Those who have an ear to hear can hear that he has become restless in his human soul. He is serving meat with blood in it. His words would have been anointed and edifying, if he had let the other edge of the sword divide between his soul and spirit by doing good. Only such people can be servants of the Word. “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we have to give account.” Heb. 4:13.