In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God….And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:1, 14 (KJV)

From these verses, we understand that God and the Word are the same thing. Jesus, the Word, became flesh and lived as a man. It is easy to see that God and the Word are one and the same. God is the Word. The Word is God. Let’s take it a step further and say that we can use the terms God and Word interchangeably. That line of thought makes the Bible take on greater meaning, as well as how we approach our relationship with God. Consider the following statements.

• God is love.

• God’s plans are good.

• I trust God.

• I want to be close to God.

• God is my heart’s desire.

Now, let’s replace God with the Word.

• The Word is love.

• The Word’s plans are good.

• I trust the Word.

• I want to be close to the Word.

• The Word is my heart’s desire.

When we understand that God and His Word are one, we understand how to draw close to Him and know Him better. We get to know God when we get to know the Word. We can’t truly know our God without knowing the Word. Yet, many people want to do that. They want His closeness, presence, intimacy, and anointing without getting to know Him. We really have to get in the Word to know and understand God- His nature, His character, His likes, His dislikes, and so on.

Relationship must first be established before intimacy can come. Just as we cannot get close to a person without getting to know who they are, we can’t expect to be in close fellowship with God without getting to know Him. Since He is the Word, we have to get into the Word to become close to Him. And we cannot stay close to Him without staying in the Word. Diligent reading and studying of the Word will show us more and more of who God is, and a close, intimate relationship will then follow.