It is the Word - The Instructor and the Compendious Word of Scripture

This is a continuation of my series on Clement of Alexandria and his book, "The Instructor." If you are new to this series or are unfamiliar with Clement and his book, you may want to first read the introduction to this series.

"O nurslings of His blessed training! let us complete the fair face of the church; and let us run as children to our good mother. And if we become listeners to the Word, let us glorify the blessed dispensation by which man is trained and sanctified as a child of God, and has his conversation in heaven, being trained from earth, and there receives the Father, whom he learns to know on earth. The Word both does and teaches all things, and trains in all things." (Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor, Book 3, Chapter 12)

The Word is both the written word and Jesus who is the Word made flesh. It is the Word that calls us together with other believers to worship and adore Him. It is the word that trains us and cleanses us that we might be holy separated unto Him. It is through the Word that we come to know the Father whom one day we will stand before in heaven. It is the word that dispenses the glories and blessing of heaven upon us all. All this and more we have through His word.

"A horse is guided by a bit, and a bull is guided by a yoke, and a wild beast is caught in a noose. But man is transformed by the Word, by whom wild beasts are tamed, and fishes caught, and birds drawn down... O divine works! O divine commands! ... 'When I want to form man, I want matter, and have matter in the elements. I dwell with what I have formed. If you know me, the fire will be your slave.'" (Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor, Book 3, Chapter 12)

The Word of God transforms us. Paul tells us that transformation takes place in our mind. "And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2) The word used here is to be metamorphosed, or to be completely changed; from one creature into another. This transformation happens first in our mind and then, like leaven, spreads to affect our entire being. The Word of God comes to change the way we think, the way we understand, and the way we view ourselves, God, and the world around us. It comes to completely change our world view and our paradigm on life. Such a radical change of mind can not help but influence the rest of our lives.

"Such is the Word, such is the Instructor, the Creator of the world and of man: and of Himself, now the world’s Instructor, by whose command we and the universe subsist, and await judgment. 'For it is not he who brings a stealthy vocal word to men,' as Bacchylidis says, 'who shall be the Word of Wisdom;' but 'the blameless, the pure, and faultless sons of God,' according to Paul, 'in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, to shine as lights in the world.'" (Clement of Alexandria, The Instructor, Book 3, Chapter 12)

He is the Word, our creator, and our Instructor and He desires to make Himself and His wisdom known among men. However, how can those who are not enlightened see Him who is unseen? We are those who are to carry His wisdom and glory to a world seeking for truth and knowledge. We are to be the ones who give testimony in the natural of our Father who lives in the spiritual. We are to be His image and likeness upon this Earth for we are His sons and daughters. The Word of God desires to transform us and to release us into the world that others might come to know Him and be transformed by Him to join His beautiful bride upon the Earth.

David Robison