God’s Powerful Word

By

Shelby G. Floyd

July 10, 2006

 

 

     In a day when man has been able to harness the tremendous physical power of nature, it is easy for some men to disparage the power of the word of God. Since man is able to speak and communicate with his fellow man, it is reasonable to believe that God has spoken, to his creatures. In time past, God spoke to the people by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, Jesus Christ. (Hebrews 1: 1.)

 

God Has Spoken To Man by Christ

 

Since God has spoken to man, are there any power, force and influence in what he has to say? The power of the word of God is seen in the various figures of speech that are applied to the word. Its power of life is compared to that of a seed (Luke 8: 11; Acts 6: 7.)  Its great power to combat evil and to defend the truth is compared to that of a sword (Eph. 6: 17.)  Its power to dispel darkness and enlighten human understanding is compared to that of a lamp and a light (Psalms 119:105.)  Its great power to bring about spiritual growth compared to that of the rain and the dew. (Deuteronomy 32: 1-2.)

 

God’s Word Is like a Fire and a Hammer

 

     Jeremiah understood the power of God’s word in opposing false teachers and he compared that power to the power of a fire and a hammer. (Jeremiah 23: 28-29.) Some men speak of the Bible, the written word of God, as a dead letter, as if it were void of power and in­fluence; but just as the rain, and the snow from hea­ven do not return back to heaven without having brought about some influence, so the word of God which came forth from heaven will not return back to God void of any influence. (Isaiah 55:8-11.)

 

God’s Word Is Living and Powerful

 

     The inspired writers of the New Testament like­wise affirm the force and power of the gospel. “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.) Like its author, the word is eternal; it lives and abides forever, and is power­ful as a sword which cuts in both directions.

 

     To some, the word of God is the power unto salva­tion and eternal life; unto others it will be an instrument of judgment and everlasting punishment. There­fore, let every person realize that no one can escape the power and influence of the word of God; it will either be for our weal or woe.

 

The Gospel Is God’s Power unto Salvation

 

     In the beginning when the Almighty brought the universe into being, it was by the word of his power, “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God.” (Hebrews 11: 3.) It is also by the power of God’s word that he upholds the worlds that he created. (Hebrews 11:3.)  Does the word of God have any power in the spiritual realm? Paul stated to the Romans that he was “not ashamed of the gospel of Christ for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16.) The gospel is not a power, or one of many powers, or some power, but it is definitely the power designed for our salvation from sin. Today, some men are clamoring for a direct oper­ation of the Holy Spirit for salvation, but the word of God will accomplish that purpose.

 

The Word Accomplishes All These Functions

 

     The power of God’s word is seen in that which is able to accomplish in the spiritual realm. It is by the power of the word that we are begotten, re­generated and born again (1 Peter 1:23); it is by the power of the word that one is quickened from sin (Psalms 119: 50, 93); it is by the power of the word that we obtain faith in Jesus Christ, the Son of God (Romans 10: 17; John 20: 30-31); it is by the power of the word of God that a person has a pure heart, that has been made free from sin. (Acts 15: 9.) Our souls are converted and purified by the power of God’s word (Psalms 19:7; 1 Peter 1:22); one is sanctified and made clean by this same power. (John 15: 3; 17: 17.)

 

     We are saved by the word (James 1; 21; Acts 11: 14); we grow and. develop by the same word. (1 Peter 2:1-2; Acts 20: 32.) The word of God corrects us (2 Timothy 3:15-17); it guides us and enlightens our way (Psalms 119:105); it convicts us of sin and wrong doing (Acts 18:28; Titus 1: 9); it consoles us in time of trouble (1 Thessalonians 14:18); it illuminates our pathway and dis­pels the darkness (Psalms 119: 105, 130); it enlightens the mind. (Psalms 19: 8.) The scriptures bear powerful testimony concerning the divinity of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. (John 5: 39.) The word of God is powerful when it is enthroned, and indwells the human heart. (Colossians 3:16.) The power of spiritual life dwells with­in the word of God. (John 6:63.)

 

     God’s word is powerful enough to free everyone from sin who believes and obeys the word. (John 8:32); it is so powerful that it calls us from darkness to light (2 Thessalonians 2: 14); it draws us to God (John 6:44-45); it enables us to overcome temptations and live the Christian life (Matthew 4:4); by the power of the word of God, we are able to resist the devil (Ephesians 6:17); and overcome the world. (1 John 5:4), God’s word provides the means that can keep us from sin (Psalms 119: 11); through faith and obedience to the word of God, there is power to obtain understanding (Psalms 119:104); order our steps (Psalms 119: 133); and work re­pentance from sin. (2 Timothy 2: 25.)

 

     There will always be false teachers that will at­tempt to deceive the people and lead them astray, but God’s word has the power to reprove, rebuke and oppose every false way. (Psalms 119: 104; 2 Timothy 4:1-4.) Finally, in the last day, the word of God will judge every person. (John 12: 47-48; Revelation 20: 12.)

 

Do Not Disparage God's Powerful Word

 

     The word has the power to justify us or condemn us. Let no one disparage the power of the word of God. It is so powerful that it completely furnishes us unto every good work. It lives and abides forever. The word of God cannot be bound. (2 Timothy 2: 9.)  Let us believe it, obey it, and live by it.  Copyright © 2006 All Rights Reserved