R.L. Whiteside
There is saving power in the word. An angel said to Cornelius, “Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house” (Acts 11:13-14). “Wherefore putting away all filthiness and overflowing of wickedness, receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21). “I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth…” (Rom. 1:16).
Of course, no one thinks there is power in the material of which the Bible is made. The power that leads men to Christ are the thoughts, the ideas, the motives, presented in the word of God. There is power in a thought; and power in a motive. By words, men move men, even whole armies and nations. Men’s thoughts have been powerful enough to overthrow kingdoms.
If we want men to act a certain way, we try to fill them with thoughts and motives tending to lead them in the direction we want them to go. If we can fill people full of God’s ideas, God’s thoughts, we will induce them to do God’s will. In this way God works in people to get them to live different lives. It is through the mighty power of the word that men are drawn to Christ (John 6:44-45).
