Whom Does It Apply?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. ... In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. And the Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overtake it. ... There was the true Light which, coming into the world, enlightens everyone.” John 1:1, 4-5, 9
This establishes the foundation of this post, Jesus Christ is the "Word." That Word is "life" and Word is powerful "the darkness did not overtake it." The Word "shines" everywhere - the true Light which, came into the world, "enlightens everyone."
The Answer
Therein lies the answer to the question, to whom does the Word apply? It is not hard to conclude, that it applies to everyone. The light of Jesus shines everywhere on everyone. Darkness cannot hold the light back. Consider the sun, it provides warmth to everyone it touches, even so the penetrating nature of the Word effects all it comes in contact with. The degree of which, is the work of the Holy Spirit. We know man will respond to the "true Light" in one of two ways, belief unto salvation or rejection unto damnation. Nevertheless, the "Light of men" shines and enlightens everyone it comes into contact with.
Therefore, all people need to hear the Word; "Faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ" (Romans 10:17). The "Word" is the agency to "faith." It is indeed the "Light of men." A sinful fallen people, living in a dark corrupt world need to see the Light is to hear the Light, the "Word of Christ." The Word is the only means to produce faith.
Good News Found!
What is often missing in Christian's understanding, is the whole of the Word, the "the word of Christ" is good news - the Old and New Testament. Paul in Romans 10:16 points to this fact: "They did not all heed the good news, for Isaiah says, ‘LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?'" Good news, is found throughout the Bible. As the sun illuminates the whole earth, so the Light of Christ shines on all men.
Christians then, are to bring His light to bear on the whole of life. In other words, the Word of Christ in its entirety, needs to shine in every corner of life. The "Light of men" is to be expressed by Christians to sinful people in every aspect, every sphere of life they walk in. From causal conversations with others, to leaders at work and in government. The Word has significance, it is relevant and applies to every and all walks of life, it "enlightens everyone."
How Much Applies?
Much of American Christianity has lost this understanding; that all of the Word applies, all of the Word applies to everyone and everyone needs to hear all of God's Word.
The Psalmist provides a simple summary: "The law of Yahweh is perfect, restoring [converting] the soul; The testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple" (Psalms 19:7). There is no sense of limitation in the Psalmist words, as if men only need some of the Word.
The Psalmist simply declares, "The law of Yahweh is perfect." The perfection of Yahweh's Word will make one "wise" to salvation. It can save/restore the "soul." As a result the Psalmist declares, "I will give thanks to You, O Yahweh, among the peoples, And I will sing praises to You among the nations" (Psalms 108:3).
Why? Why does the Psalmist give thanks among the peoples and sing praises to Yahweh among the nations? Because, all of the Word of Yahweh/the Word of Christ is good news! It is perfect and sure and is the source of wisdom - it will restores lost soles. It is this Word peoples and nations need to hear - it is the "Light of men."
The Whole Word
This begs the question: Do unbelievers need only the "gospel," as American churches often define this word. Jesus Christ's redemptive work certainly is very good news. Christian's need to be asking Yahweh to grant those moments to speak of the damning wages of sin and salvation found only in Christ. At the same time remembering, the entirety God breathed Word is good news. Pray for the former while not forgetting the latter.
Dr. Joel Beeke writes, "Man fell away from God into death by dishonoring him, but God's Word restores, ... at every point, God's Word is the answer to our fall" (Part 1 Prolegomena, Reformed Systematic Theology). Christians then, have the responsibility as agents and the means by which lost people hear the perfect "Word of Christ." It is the only "testimony" that produces "faith" and restores the "soul."
The Word Everywhere
The Word of Christ must permeate the Christian's life and speech. Christian's are to be so equipped, that regardless of who is present, Truth is spoken. Don't miss this point. The entirety of the Word, reveals Jesus Christ.
In honest reflection, Christians will admit the simplest of opportunities are miss to present the Light. It could be one comment, for example; recently in a classroom setting, attendees where asked to introduce themselves and share something they enjoy. Standing one person stated after his introduction, that hiking in the remote desert mountain brought great joy observing God's creative hand. Every Christian likely can think of past casual conversations when a seed of Truth, could have been spoken within the context of that inner-action.
Looking to the Parable of the Sower, found in the book of Matthew. We see the seed is widely broadcast regardless of the condition of the ground. Clearly the "seed" refers to the Word and the Word is to be spoken widely in various situations and circumstances. Christians are to sow indiscriminately, whether one seed at a time or by the handful, and do so in whatever opportunity we find ourselves.
The Word Will...
We speak Jesus, whenever we speak the Word. And that Word is "living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword." Nothing, in all creation is "able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart" (Hebrews 4:12).
One word or many, the word of Christ will not fail. "So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what pleases Me, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it" (Isaiah 55:11).
