The Power of God’s Word

Never underestimate the power of God’s word! It is far more powerful than any of us could ever imagine. Consider the spoken word of God. It is so powerful that God spoke the world into existence. By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God (Heb. 11:3). By the word of the Lord were the heavens made .. . For he spake, and it was done; he commanded and it stood fast (Ps. 33:6,9). In Genesis 1 the phrase “God said” appears ten times. And whatever God said, it happened! Keep in mind that it was his son “through whom also he made the worlds” (Heb. 1:2). “For in him were all things created … ” (Col.1:16). “All things were made through him; and without him was not anything made that has been made” (Jn 1:3).

Take note of how the Hebrew writer described the power of God’s Word: “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged 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” (Heb 4:12).

Consider also the written word of God. The written Old Testament was available in Jesus’ day. It was so powerful that by quoting the written word Jesus resisted the devil. The devil never attempted anything like that again. Then the devil left him (Matt. 4:11). Furthermore, it was so powerful it could have prevented the rich man’s five brothers from going to the place of torment if they had hearkened to the law of Moses and the prophets (Lk 16:19-31).

Let’s now look at the spoken word of Jesus. It is powerful enough to sustain the universe and keep it operating. He is upholding all things by the word of his power (Heb. 1:3). Imagine the tremendous amount of power it takes to sustain this universe! And “in him all things consist” (Col. 1:17). The spoken word of Jesus was so powerful that the centurion’s servant was healed the same hour without Jesus seeing or touching him (Matt. 8:8-13).

It was the spoken word of Christ that calmed the sea (Mark 4:35-39). None of today’s so-called miracle workers would even attempt to control the weather. It was by the spoken word of Christ that the dead were raised: (1) son of the widow of Nain, “Young man, I say unto thee, arise” (Luke 7:14). (2) Jairus’ daughter, “Maid, arise” (Luke 8:54). (3) Lazarus, “Lazarus, come forth!” (Jn 11:43). All powerful in heaven and in earth was this man Christ Jesus  (Matt.28:18).

The written word of Jesus is just as powerful as his spoken word. The Scriptures make no distinction in the power of either. The written record of Jesus’ works was so powerful that John said one could have life by believing the written record of it. “Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in his name ” (Jn 20:30, 31). The gospel is the written word (Eph.3:3, 4 f; Rom.1:16).

Just as the written word of Moses and the prophets could have prevented the rich man’s brothers from torment in flames, so can the written message of Christ prevent us from such a fate. Abraham said, “They have Moses and the prophets, let them hear them” (Lk 16:29). Remember, it was the writings of Moses and the prophets to which Abraham referred. Jesus said if they would not believe the written word neither would they believe if one rose from the dead (v.31). There is no difference in the power of God’s spoken word and his written word!

They had Moses and the prophets. It had already been written and confirmed (Gal. 3:15). Men today have Christ and the apostles. What they said has already been written and confirmed (Heb.2:3, 4). We stand in the same relationship to Christ and the apostles as the five brothers did to Moses and the prophets. If men won’t believe the written word of Christ and the apostles, neither would they believe if one rose from the dead.

Even so, Christ did rise from the dead, yet are we not saved except we first believe and confess Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Rom 10,9,10). We cannot be saved except we believe the words which Jesus commanded to be preached unto all the world: “And he said unto them, Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be damned” (Mk 16:15,16). We cannot be saved except we continue in the doctrine of Christ and his apostles (Acts 2:42 f; 2 Jn 9). “For our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance; as you know what manner of men we were among you for your sake” (1 Thess 1:5). “And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man’s wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power” (1 Cor 2:4). Yes, the Word of God has the power to save! Trust it, believe it, obey it!