The greatest value of the Word of God is its power to save. It is amazing that there is so much talk today about being saved by faith alone. It does not seem to matter that the Bible never says that. It is preached like it was stated on every page of the Word of God. The truth, however, is that there are many factors involved in salvation, including God’s Word.

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 actually 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 guess work 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 have to 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 actually a yes and no answer to that question. Yes, we have to 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 accord-ing 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 His 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 valuable than that?

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