"So then faith comes by hearing...the word(rhema) of God"" Rom 10:17
There are two greek words translated as "word" in our English Bibles, "LOGOS" and RHEMA. Logos often refers to the written or inscriptured "word" Rhema ofters refers to the living or life -giving "Word". They are given as examples of the idea the author seeks to explain related to the words logos and rhema.
Jesus said :"It is written (logos), man shall live by bread alone, but by every word(rhema) that proceedeth out the mouth of God"-Matt.4:4.
It was said of the Bereans, "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they recieved the word (rhema) with all readiness of mind, and searched the Scriptures (logos)daily, whether those things were so"-Act.17:11 .These verses illustrate the inseparable bond between the logos and the rhema. They always work together.We must know the Scriptures(logos) to judge whether the word (rhema)that comes to us is really from the Lord-or some to other spirit.The Holy Spirit(rhema and the Holy Bible (logos) always agree.
Jesus said of the Pharisees, "Your error is caused by yuor ignorandce of the Scriptures (logos) and of God's power (rhema)"Matt.22:29.The Pharisees of Jesus's day knew neither the logos nor the rhema.
Many church leaders know neither the Scirptures nor God's power.Such leaders and churches make God throw up )Rev.3:15). There are other church leaders who know the Scripture, but do not know God's power.They ussually dry up.
There are also some church leaders who know God's pwoer but do not know the Scriptures. They usually blow up. Let's study the first one.
1. A RHEMA FORM GOD
A rhema is usualluy a communication from God designed and empowered to apply to a specific situation.When we are reading the Bible and a certian verse suddently strikes us with power, we are receiving a rhema (living-word) for our pesonal need.When we have been praying for God's wisdom or God's answer for an insoluble problem and suddenly Gods speaks the solution into our hearts in clear practical terms which solve the problem, that is a rhema.
When we are in the midst of some ministry-realted activity and we have a sudden impression to take some specific action, which results in great blessing, that is a rhema.
A word of caution:We should not assume every urge, impression or feeling is a rhema.Nor rhema will ever be contrary to the Scritpures (logos), God's eternal Word. If I am sick, I can open my Bible and read, "...by whose stripes ye were healed" 1 Peter 2:24.I have the Word (logos) to tel lme it is God's will to heal me. Yet, I may not be healed when I read the verse.
A.Peter and the Lame MAn.The lame man as per Acts 3, who had lain at the temple gate for years was not healed by Jesus, who had passed in and out tohe temple many times. Peter, fresh from his personal Pentecost, went up to the temple to pray. When the lame man asked alms, Peter received a rhema for him ."Loolk on me!Silver and gold lhave I none, but such as I have, give I thee.In the Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk"-Acts.3:6. Instanly, the lame man leaped up and followed Peter into the temple, walking and leaping and praising God. The lame man may have known the Bible verse, "I am Jehovah Rapha that healeth thee"-Exodo 15:26. Yet he was not healed until Peter heard god's voice and spoke the life-giving word (rhema) to him.
"So then faith comes by hearing...the word (rhema) fo God" Romans 10:17. When God speaks to you-faith comes, .If you will obediently respond to what God has said, miracles will take place for you just like they did in Bible times.
This is not a formula, God desires from us to have a tight and close relationship with Him.
Cordially,
Your sister in faith,
Hellen Peralta