"Laying us Open"

“God means what he says. What he says goes. His powerful Word is sharp as a surgeon’s scalpel, cutting through everything, whether doubt or defense, laying us open to listen and obey.” (Hebrews 4:12, The Message)

The Message takes a little bit of leeway with Heb 4.12, but in a good way.  His powerful word (The word of God) cuts through everything laying us open to listen and obey.  This part is not in the text, but it does, I think, get to the point.  The purpose of the word of God is that we hear and obey it, and it is powerful enough to cut through our defenses and objections and yes, doubts, so that we will.