The WORD of God

I have a big problem when someone declares 'God told me this' or 'THIS is what God is saying to you.' It is a very serious thing to speak for God- TO SAY THIS IS GOD'S WORD ! Just what IS God's Word? What do we mean by "The Word of the Lord" ?? Just where is the word of the Lord?
The Bible? Certainly! It is the written word. But the Bible does not save us from our sins. In John 5:39 Jesus says "Search the scriptures, for in them ye THINK ye have eternal life, and they are they that testify of ME!" So as we read the Bible and hear its message we become acquainted with the story of Jesus; we believe we come to know HIM.
Jesus Christ! Absolutely! Jesus alone is the LIVING Word sent down from heaven. John 1:1 "In the beginning was the WORD!" We talk about mystery when we think of Jesus dwelling in us! The 'Message" of God's love has reached where we are . . .we 'know' Jesus--we are coming to know Him.
But thye fact is that most people do not read the Bible- and most people do not consciously invite Jesus to be a part of their lives.
Colossians 3:16 says: "LET THE WORD DWELL IN YOU RICHLY"
The Word of God in the CHURCH? In YOU? In ME? Yes- the Word of God also resides corporately and individually in the Body of Christ. The written Word and the living Word speak to us, and when we worship with our brothers and sisters in Christ--when we are tuned in in prayer and submission and faith-- when we invite the Holy Spirit to fill us and use us--then God's people become in a very real way THE WORD OF GOD SPEAKING TO OUR WORLD.
From time to time we see God in other people. We hear God's voice. Not as they "tell us what God said for us to do"-- but in the mystery of incarnation continued through the living Body of Christ.