The Bible addresses us as the Word of God. It has authority and power. It is meant to be obeyed and to show us the way (Psalm 119:101, 105). That is why it is called a light. It also shines in our hearts (2 Peter 1:19) to show us who we are and where we come up short. God does this so that we will know ourselves more clearly and see what needs to be added or removed in our lives to fall in line with his will and to live lives pleasing to Him.
It is interesting that God's Word is sometimes referred to as a sword (Ephesians 6:17). A sword cuts, and sometimes it cuts both ways (Hebrews 4:12). Spiritually, God attends His Word with the Holy Spirit. When He speaks to us through His Word it is the job of the Holy Spirit to show us where we come up short and to make us feel the need to make things right. This is called conviction. God makes us sorry we have not done as we ought to have done things (2 Corinthians 7:10-13).
Conviction is meant to lead us to repentance and to separate us from sin (Matthew 3:8; Romans 2:4). As a sword it is able to cut through our defenses. God uses it to discipline and correct. Though tears may come when we realize our sin, joy comes as we begin to understand that it is not too late (Acts 11:18). God does not send conviction to those he has given up on. He sends conviction in order to work in us what is pleasing to him (Romans 12:2; Philippians 2:13; Hebrews 13:21). He is a great craftsman. The more He works on us, the more we are made into His image. God performs precision surgery with his written Word. A Bible becomes a Surgical instrument so that we might be crafted into his workmanship. May our lives show that they have been transformed by the hand of the great surgeon (Titus 2:11-14).
