Chemist4Christ

Accuracy and Precision

As a teaching assistant in the chemistry department at the Ohio State University I sit in on lectures for the courses I TA for.  A few days ago the professor I assist was discussing the basics about analytical chemistry.  As I pondered on the differences between accuracy and precision I began to wonder how these terms apply to the Word of God.  The Word of God is both accurate and precise.  This also of course brings up the question of the difference between accuracy and truth.  In the realm of the sciences, accuracy applies to hitting the mark so to speak, while precision denotes a consistency in aim.  Something can be accurate but totally imprecise or very precise but totally inaccurate.  How do these terms apply to the Word of God?  Also, not really described here, but I probably will reflect on it in a future post, it is important that our understanding of the word of God is both accurate within the context as well as consistent within the whole tapestry of scripture.  Below all scripture quotes are from the King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise specified.

We know that the Word of God is living and active and always attains God’s desired end.  Thus, because of this, the Word of God is extremely accurate.  As shown in Isaiah, God communicates himself through His word and this doesn’t follow the world’s wisdom.  [Isa 55:8-11 KJV] “8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9 For [as] the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. 10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: 11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper [in the thing] whereto I sent it.”  We might not always understand what the Word of God is accomplishing, but we know that God’s purposes will be accomplished wherever His word goes forth.

The word of God is also accurate in the response from the hearers of the word.  [Heb 4:12 KJV] “12 For the word of God [is] quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and [is] a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”  The word of God elicits a response in its’ hearers.  We are also cleansed by the word of God and continually sanctified by the Spirit of God.

[Jhn 12:46-50 KJV] “46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. 47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. 48 He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day. 49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.”  Whatever Jesus spoke was the word of God and he was able to discern the intentions of the heart.  Also in this passage we see that the word Jesus spoke will judge us on the last day.  So both now and in the future the word of God judges the thoughts and intents of our hearts.  This is only possible if the word of God is both accurate and precise.  In fact there is additional evidence for this when Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes to the Father, but by me.” in John 14:6.  By saying he is the truth, Jesus was saying that the word of God is true and accurate.

God guides us by his word.  The light of the glorious gospel shines in our hearts and quickens us (makes us alive).  [Psa 119:103-107 KJV] “103 How sweet are thy words unto my taste! [yea, sweeter] than honey to my mouth! 104 Through thy precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way. 105 NUN. Thy word [is] a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. 106 I have sworn, and I will perform [it], that I will keep thy righteous judgments. 107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.”  Therefore, as we are made alive by the word we can be sure in the word’s consistency and precision.  We can also be certain that we are following the way of life and have and will continue to overcome death itself because the very one who gives us life indwells in us.

The word of God is also important for sharing the gospel with others.  Faith comes by hearing the word of God.  By sharing the word with others we can share the gospel with others that they too might live.  We live by the word because the word of God is the word of life.  As we follow the word of life, our problems seem a lot smaller because we are focusing on the soveriegn one who created the universe.  As we study and meditate on the word of God through the working of the Holy Spirit, the word becomes implanted in our hearts and we are able to testify of Christ to others.  [Rom 10:14-17 KJV] “14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17 So then faith [cometh] by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

To conclude, the Word of God is both accurate and precise as it was originally written; the Word of God is always on target, changing the hearers lives.    Listening to the word of God is life itself.  The Word of God lights our path as we are continually conformed into the image of Jesus Christ.  By the Holy Spirit, God continues to sanctify us through His word, for the Holy Spirit reminds us of all things.  Blessings to you as you continue to walk with God.