In 1 Peter 1:5, Peter tells us that we are kept by the power of God. The word “kept” meant, “To hem in or protect” (Strong). What is the power of God that protects us spiritually and has the power to keep us from falling (Jude 1:24)? The answer is the gospel of Christ.
Romans 1:16 (NKJV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
The gospel is the Word of God, and it is God’s saving power.
James 1:21 (ESV)
21 Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
James did not say that the Word would save people automatically, but that it is able to save. For one to be saved, the Word must be obeyed. Salvation never comes apart from obedience to God. Only doers of the Word will be saved, not those who merely hear it (James 1:21-25). Jesus declared this to be true long before James wrote about it.
Matthew 7:21 (ESV)
21 “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.
The Hebrews writer is also clear on just who is going to be saved. While Jesus tasted death for everyone (Hebrews 2:9), only those who obey Him are saved.
Hebrews 5:9 (ESV)
9 And being made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him,
Everyone who obeys the Word of God is saved by it. There is no guesswork here. Simply put, if you follow the Word of God, you will be saved. Period! This is why Paul said that the gospel is God’s power unto salvation (Romans 1:16). If you are not a Christian, the moment you do what the Word of God tells you to do, you will be saved.
While it is the blood of Christ that washes away sins (Revelation 1:5), it is the Word that tells us how to contact that blood. For the blood to wash away our sins, we must believe in Jesus (John 8:24), repent of our sins (Acts 2:38), confess the Lord with our mouths (Romans 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:21). How do we know all this? The Word of God tells us. This is the part that the Word plays in salvation—it gives us instructions to follow, and when we follow them, we are saved. The value of God’s Word is seen, not only in the fact that it leads to salvation, but also in that the information that it gives us cannot be found anywhere else.
Do we have to follow the Word of God perfectly? There is a yes and no answer to that question. Yes, we must do precisely what the Word tells us to do. Salvation is attained, and maintained, only when we do exactly what God commands. We must abide in the doctrine of Christ (2 John 1:9). But, no, we do not have to live sinlessly. When we do our best to live according to the Word of God, as God’s children, we merely need to repent and confess our sins to God, and He forgives us (1 John 1:9). How do we know this is true? God’s Word tells us.
The grace of God is seen in many different ways, primarily by the sacrifice of His Son. It can also be seen, however, by God giving us the Word that saves us. Without it, we are blind and lost. With it, we know the way to heaven. What could be more powerful than that?
As you wind down for the night, think about these things.