For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)
Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. (James 1:21)
Passages of Scripture like these are good reminders of just how powerful the word of God really is. As a new year begins, this is a great time to renew our commitment to knowing and living the will of God as it is revealed in the pages of the Bible.
Does your life need direction? Do feel as though you are lost and out of focus? Are you having difficulty making sense out of your present circumstances?
Renew your commitment to God’s Word! It has the power to change your life!
Remember these historical events recorded in Scripture:
Saul of Tarsus—In Acts 9:1-2 we find a man who is bound and determined to destroy the New Testament Church. He finds real satisfaction in the persecution of men and women that claim to be followers of Jesus Christ. But then, in verses 3-19, his life is changed forever. Specifically, in verse 6, he is told to go to a certain place and await further instructions—he is to encounter a preacher who will share with him the word of God. His life will be forever changed. He is soon to become the world famous church-planting, inspired- letter-writing, Christ-imitating, soul-saving apostle! His life will change after an encounter with the Word of God.
Jews of Acts 2—Likely many of the same people that only weeks before were in the crowd yelling, “Crucify him!” (Luke 23:21; Acts 3:17), were the same ones saying, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) What was the difference? In Acts chapter 2, the people had given the word of God a place in their hearts. In fact, it had cut them to their very soul. The result was dramatically changed lives. Right away they became de- voted to the things of God and to one another (Acts 2:41-47). The word of God had changed them.
What about you and me?
Will we allow the word of God to change us?
Will we be open and honest when we hear or read God’s word?
God is anxious to change our lives. He is ready to give us direction and focus and a sense of purpose.
Are we ready to receive the word that is able to save our souls?
