The Transforming Power of the Word of God
So many of us live chaotic lives. We wake up, hit the ground running, and try to accomplish ALL THE STUFF. By the end of the day we’re exhausted and didn’t accomplish half of what we set out to do. So, we hop off the “hamster wheel,”, chill out for a few hours with Netflix and a bowl of hope (I mean chocolate raspberry truffle ice cream), and go to bed. After all, tomorrow is another day.
What if you could know and apply God’s will to every area of your life — would you want to?
I know we just met. So, you may be having a hard time believing the “new girl” in the blogosphere knows what she’s talking about. KNOWING GOD’S WILL IS POSSIBLE. However, the application part is up to you and me. I’m not asking you to believe me - I’m asking you to believe God.
Does anyone say “blogosphere?” Forgive me if I sound like an old lady attempting to be relevant. The truth is, I am. I’m fifty-eight years old and have been doing life with Jesus since nineteen. I’m a retired teacher whose primary purpose is to teach and encourage people to know and grow to maturity in Christ Jesus. How do I do this?
Online (individual and group Bible studies, Biblical counseling)
Classroom (school, churches, homeless shelters)
Children’s and Women’s Ministries
Mission Trips (Haiti, India, Uganda, Albania, Kenya, Tanzania)
If you’re someone who wants to take the hand of a woman who has walked many miles with Jesus and is simply turning back to share some life-changing truths, PLEASE JOIN ME. I won’t lie and tell you I know everything about everything, but I do know the One who does. And I promise to always point you to Him.
Romans 12:2 says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind so that you will be able to TEST AND APPROVE GOD’S WILL… His good, pleasing and perfect will.”
God’s 2-step plan is pretty simple…
1. Do not conform to the world’s patterns. The Greek word from “conform” is syschēmatizō, which means: “to form according to a pattern or mold.” There are all kinds of patterns and molds. But, for our purpose, let’s imagine chocolate molds in the shapes of animals (cuz YUM). Obviously, when the melted chocolate is poured into the molds and hardens, it takes on the shape of the animals.
We are being warned in this verse not to be shaped by the world’s erratic, unbiblical, and oftentimes idolatrous molds. Why? Because they have the power to draw us away from God and His will for our lives.
Examples:
MORE—anything to excess (never satisfied)
Beauty (an unrealistic and ever-changing standard)
Fame
False Religion (Prosperity Gospel for one)
Intelligence
Idolatry (anything that replaces the one, true God)
2. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind. To do so, the world’s mold must be broken and replaced with the only infallible source of TRUTH, THE BIBLE.
OLD TESTAMENT: Joshua was the chosen leader of Israel after Moses. Not only did Moses spend time preparing him for this great task, but the LORD assured Joshua He would not leave or forsake him. He told him to be strong and courageous and to be careful to do according to all the law that Moses commanded him. The secret of Joshua’s success was simple:
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth. Meditate on it day and night and be careful to do everything written in it. For then you will be prosperous and successful.” - Joshua 1:8
The same is just as true today. God has promised to never leave or forsake us and has given us His Word to equip us to live righteously in this sin-filled world.
The Word of God
When someone speaks of the Word of God, they typically mean the Bible—God’s written Word. But the Bible tells us Jesus, God’s One and Only Son, is the personification of His Word.
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” - John 1:1
“And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.” -John 1:14
The Word was with God.
The Word was God.
The Word became flesh.
The Word dwelt among us.
Jesus is the Word!
JESUS (THE WORD) TRANSFORMS LIVES
During His 3-year ministry, Jesus selected 12 disciples and traveled throughout Judea, Galilee, and Samaria teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training people in righteousness. His time was short, but before returning to the Father, he equipped His followers to spread the Good News of the Kingdom of God.
A few examples from the Bible:
The Samaritan Women (John 4)
Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1-10)
The Thief on the Cross (Luke 23:39-43)
Mary Magdalene (Luke 8:2)
Peter (Luke 22:54-62; Acts 2:14-42)
Story Time: A friend’s husband went to Turkey to teach a group of pastors and teachers of churches from closed countries (those that forbid or severely restrict missionary activity). He asked them to introduce themselves and tell how they came to know Jesus. Almost all said that Jesus came to them in a dream or vision. Can you guess when Jesus stopped appearing to those who were having dreams and visions? I’ll give you a second.
ANSWER: Jesus stopped appearing in their dreams and visions when they received their first Bible! How cool is that?
THE BIBLE (THE WORD) TRANSFORMS LIVES: It can speak for itself…
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16
“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.” Hebrews 4:12
The Word is God-breathed.
The Word equips.
The Word is living and active.
The Word discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
The Bible is the Word of God!
Now, I’m just guessing at this, but if Jesus is the WORD and the Bible is the WORD, is there need for both at the same time? It would be redundant, right? I mean, if Jesus was sitting in the chair across from me, I wouldn’t pick up the Bible to determine what God has to say to me.
It reminds of Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 16:7, “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper (Holy Spirit) will not come to you.” There was no need for the Holy Spirit to come when Jesus was living among them, teaching them about the Good News and the Kingdom of God.
LAST THOUGHTS: The Bible is a buffet of truth, wisdom, guidance, history, stories, parables, instruction, warning, enlightenment, and prophesy, which points us to the Living Word, Jesus. There is nothing in the world that satisfies more or changes lives so dramatically for the good, but it is up to each one of us to pull up a seat at the table and eat. Will you choose today, to let the Word of God transform your life?
APPLICATION:
Read the following Bible verses and consider how they could be transformative if you intentionally applied them to your daily life.
“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11
“Your word is a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105
What steps will you take this week to make these truths a reality?
