“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12 (NASB)
His story had my close attention, as well as all the others circled around him in a small group.
Every eye was fixed on him. His story was compelling as he told of his time in prison and what transformed him there.
He had been the Prime Minister of his country, with all the pomp and power that goes with the office. And then his government was overthrown and he was placed in prison in solitary confinement for seven years.
He was not a believer and in fact said that he went in prison as an avowed atheist, but somehow there was a Bible in his prison cell and when he emerged from captivity he did so as a follower of Jesus. He said that as he read the Word, he realized that he was not alone and that the Holy Spirit was with him.
One of his first acts was to reconcile with his captors, as he said that the number one thing Jesus taught him in prison was forgiveness. He said that if Jesus had forgiven him, the least he could do would be to forgive others.
Truly, the Bible is holy divinely inspired voice of God. It has changed lives throughout history and it continues to change lives today. The Word of God speaks for itself, but it also calls for engagement.
With the Bible must come social justice, feeding the hungry, clothing the poor and reaching the lost and lonely. It must bridge social and ethnic barriers and overcome human exploitation.
It is not a book of religion, but rather one of life and living. If there is anything our generation of Christians needs to ponder and experience anew it is the power of God’s Word. For only when we seize and are seized by the Word of God do we know the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe. And only when our faith stands in God’s power do we discover what the Word of God really is.
Truly it is living, active and life changing. It has changed my life and the lives of countless people throughout the ages. Truly it is the most powerful book ever written.
by John Grant
Used by Permission
FURTHER READING
• The Walk of Obedience – by Mary Pinckney
• Blessed Obedience – by Idelette McVicker
• God Requires Risky Obedience – by Jon Walker