The relationship between Japan and the United States was just beginning to make forward progress in 1906 when the local board of education in San Francisco took it upon themselves to segregate every Asian student into their own Oriental school. Facing pressure from all sides, President Teddy Roosevelt confronted the California legislature and moderated a reversal of their decision. At the same time, he reached across the sea to offer a "Gentlemen's Agreement" with Japan to calm the strained immigration process on American soil. ⁵ This informal handshake meant that no paperwork had been signed, no rules had been set, and no one was capable of holding them accountable beyond themselves. In its ultimate sense, this was one man's word to the other. And in 1907, this was deemed a fair manner of business.

Not only have things changed today, but it can scarcely be heard that someone might say to another, "You have my word" or "Take my word of honor." Neither do we find anyone quoting the words made famous in 17th Century's Don Quixote, "My word is my bond." In fact, a great irony has replaced this phrase with a doubting listener who now asks, "Can I get that in writing?" We trust the written word over the spoken word because the latter does not offer us any visible assurance. And yet, many of us long for the days when the "gentlemen's handshake" might once again be employed in business.

Therefore, it should come as no surprise that we are baffled by the question of God's Word. A well-known pastor and teacher of God's grace has often told the story of his early days in college when he had laid out several Bibles across the floor in order to study out a subject. Each one was a different translation and it didn't strike him as odd until a friend entered the room and posed the question, "Which one is the Word of God?" If he answered affirmatively that they were all God's Word, then he might risk the obvious problem that in many ways, they were all very different. Hence the reason that he was laying them all out in the first place. This now led to an all-important series of questions that every faithful student of Scripture ought to investigate at some point in their studies.

Enough exhaustive teaching, both profitable and dangerous, is available on this subject with enough material to fill a small office. Regardless of one's ultimate conclusions, every effort to understand the Word of God more clearly requires a measure of faith. But lest we turn aside to controversy, a more important question stands in our path to understanding. If God's Word exists, which we all believe it does, then how can it be trusted? How can a man really "rest" in His Word when so many other words are thrown around like the wind?

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." John 1:1

This famously quoted passage from John equates the Word (Greek: Logos) with God Himself. If such prominence is given to the Word that we all study together and privately, then the same adjectives we attribute to the King would also apply. The Word is indeed eternal, it is incorruptible, it is honorable, it is glorious, it is authoritative, and it is mighty. If it is all this and more, then the Word ought also to describe itself explicitly.

"Thy word [is] very pure: therefore thy servant loveth it." Psalm 119:140

"Thy word [is] true [from] the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments [endureth] for ever." Psalm 119:160

"Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him." Proverbs 30:5

"Sanctify them through thy truth, thy word is truth." John 17:17

"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." Hebrews 4:12

"And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come," Hebrews 6:5

Recently a professor asked her students just what qualified the Word of God to speak for itself. In another sense, how can the Word of God be true simply because it says that it is true? Does that not go against the grain of common sense as though a poor man could speak up and say that he is the President of the United States? Who is to say that he is not unless there is a way to test his words with the actions that they produce?

"[As for] God, his way [is] perfect; the word of the Lord [is] tried: he [is] a buckler to all them that trust in him." II Samuel 22:31, Psalm 18:30

"The words of the Lord [are] pure words: [as] silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times." Psalm 12:6

Take any riddle, any story, any passage in its fullness and test it. From the beginning of Scripture to its end, examine it all and you shall find that it is always true. Every puzzle has its last piece in place. Every message of consequence is repeated so as not to be overlooked. Every chapter sings of His glory.

Gone are the days when every hand is extended with a "Gentlemen's Agreement," but present are the days when God's Word is extended with goodness, with purity, and with truth. In a time when there is little to trust and few who are faithful, lean on the Word of God for your answers and He will surely never let you down.