The Word of God is so effortlessly accessed in our society that it is easy to take it for granted.  We should be thankful that we can read and study God’s Word daily, and appreciate the real power that it possesses.

God’s Word has the power to transform the lives of those who are willing to make application of it.  In Acts 2, after hearing the first gospel sermon preached, about three thousand Jews obeyed the gospel (Acts 2:41).  That the majority of them were truly converted is seen by the fact that they continued steadfastly in the faith (Acts 2:42).

Some of these people may have been a part of the multitude that encouraged Pilate to have Jesus crucified (Matthew 27:15-23).  One way or the other, we know that these converts on the day of Pentecost changed their lives around.  They went from either hating Christ, or at least being indifferent toward Him, to being completely devoted to Him and His cause (Acts 2:43-47).

Even more impressive is the huge change the gospel produced in the lives of Gentiles.  They had to be transformed not just religiously, but morally as well.  The church at Corinth exemplified this transformation.

1 Corinthians 6:9-11 (ESV)
⁹  Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, ¹⁰  nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. ¹¹  And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.

The brethren at Thessalonica are another example of what God’s Word has done for people over the years.  Paul described them as having, “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9).

While the nature of the Thessalonian’s previous lifestyle is not specifically stated by Paul, the fact that they served idols tells us all we need to know.  Idolatry always involved a host of immoral activity, especially sexual immorality, which was something they did as an act of worship.  The Word of God had a powerful effect upon these people.  Paul said to them, “…our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power…”  Paul was, in part, referring to the changing power of the Word of God.      

Many of us can testify of the changing power of God in our lives, and this should do two things for us.  First, it should motivate us to continue in the Word.  We all have a long way to go to reach our full potential in Christ.  While the Word has changed us, there is a lot more change needed.  As long as we continue to live by God’s Word, we know that it will continue to make us better.  Paul once said, “our inner self is being renewed day by day” (2 Corinthians 4:16). 

Second, knowing the changing power of the Word of God should encourage us to preach the gospel to others.  No matter how a person is living right now; no matter where they are in life morally, religiously, or otherwise, they can be converted by the power of God’s Word.  It converted us, and now, we are a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17)

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.