We will now deal with one particular result of hearing God’s voice which is of inestimable value. This result is faith. Hearing God’s voice produces faith. Many people long for faith, struggle for faith, and run to and fro seeking faith, but they don’t achieve it because they haven’t discovered the secret of faith. Faith comes by hearing God’s voice. This is stated in Romans, chapter 10, verse 17:
“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ [or from the word of Christ].”
So “faith comes from hearing, hearing from the word of Christ.” We need to understand that in the original language of the New Testament, which is Greek, there are two distinct words, each of which in English is translated by the word, “word.” These two distinct Greek words are logos and rhema. Now if we don’t see the difference, we won’t grasp the meaning of what I’m trying to explain. Let’s look at logos first. Logos is one of the great concepts of the Greek language. I studied Greek since I was ten years old and I’m qualified to teach it at the university level. I only say that just so that you may know I have some idea of what I’m talking about. The word 'Logos' has all sorts of meanings. It means, mind: counsel, reason, it’s comprehensive. Really, logos in the Bible, is the mind of God. It’s the counsel of God. It’s God’s total purpose. For instance, listen to what David says about it in Psalm 119, verse 89.
“Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven.”
Another translation says: Your word, oh Lord, is eternal. It stands firm in the heavens. (NIV) That’s God’s logos, His total counsel. It never changes. It’s eternal. It’s out of time. It’s in heaven. It’s settled. From beginning to end it’s there, all the time, always. It’s the mind and counsel and purpose of God. This logos, this counsel of God, is summed up in a person. John, chapter 1, verses 1 and 2 says this:
“In the beginning was the Word, [logos] and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning.”
So, Jesus is also the personified logos. He’s the total counsel and purpose and mind of God. You remember Jesus said, “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; I represent everything the Father is, everything the Father does, everything the Father wills, every plan, every purpose, I represent it.” That’s logos and it’s settled for ever in heaven. It can’t be changed. It’s eternal.
Tomorrow we’ll look at the second Greek word, which is rhema.
Father, I want to thank You for Your Word, which is settled in Heaven, unmovable, unchangeable, rock-solid. It gives me great hope and consolation to realize Your Word is there, and has always been there, for all Eternity. Help me, dear Lord, to always trust in Your Word, Your mind and counsel, Your purpose. In Jesus’ Name, amen!
