04-The Wonder of Its Power to Change A Life
THE WONDER OF ITS POWER TO CHANGE A LIFE
Chapter 4
In the first chapter I tried to show you the Wonder of the Formation of GOD’s Holy Word. We saw that the Bible is indeed a library consisting of 66 books, written by men from every walk of life, during a period of over fifteen centuries. And yet truly it is but one Book, for there is a marvelous unity throughout which shows us that it has but one author and that Author is GOD.
In the second chapter I showed you the Wonder of its inspiration. We saw that the Bible is indeed "God-breathed." GOD spake to men through the ministry of the HOLY SPIRIT. We saw that the LORD JESUS set His seal upon the Old Testament Books, using them and quoting from them as the inspired Word of GOD. When I hear worldly men mock and sneer at the Blessed Word of GOD I can truly understand why they do so, for GOD’s Holy Word tells us that,
"The natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of GOD: for they are foolishness unto him, neither can he know them for they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:14).
This explains why worldly men speak of GOD’s Holy Word as they do. They are spiritually blind, they are bound by destructive, fleshly habits, they are spiritually dead. When they are spiritually born then they, too, will know the Bible to be GOD’s Holy Word, they will love to study its pages, I trust this truth is clear to you.
In the third chapter we considered the Wonder of the unfailing accuracy of the Bible in the light of the pick of the Geologist, the spade of the Archaeologist, the laboratory of the chemist, the telescope of the astronomer, and the study of the prophetic student. We saw that each and everyone bore testimony to the unfailing accuracy of GOD’s Holy Word. NOT ONE INSTANCE, IN ANY WAY, SHAPE OR FORM, COULD BE FOUND IN WHICH THE BIBLE WAS UNTRUE OR NOT IN ACCORD WITH THE TRUE FINDINGS REPORTED.
In this chapter we will consider the Wonder of the Bible from the standpoint of its power to change and transform lives. Dear reader, GOD’s Holy Word has TREMENDOUS TRANSFORMING POWER. I want you now to consider with me verse 12, chapter 4, of the Book of Hebrews (Hebrews 4:12),
"The Word of GOD is quick (living) and powerful: and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
There are several words that stand out in this verse of Scripture - I want you to consider them carefully,
"LIVING" - GOD’s Holy Word is alive. Examine the Bible and you will find that it will EXAMINE YOU. Try this, you will find that what I have told you is true.
"POWERFUL" - There is dynamite in the Word (Romans 1:16). We shall see that this is true before we end this chapter.
"SHARPER" - It cuts deep into the very heart of a sinner. Have you experienced this cutting power?
"DIVIDING" - Just try to escape its dividing power if you can.
"DISCERNING" - GOD’s Holy Word gets down where we live, it probes the very depths of our lives.
Yes, dear reader, there is mighty power in the blessed Word of GOD. Not one of us will ever know just how much power there is wrapped up in your Bible which you so often neglect, allowing it to lie unread and unused in your home! I pray that through the reading of this book I can get you to respect and love your Bible enough to read it prayerfully every day!
"POWER" - Consider this word "POWER". I say consider it because it is found so many times in GOD’s Holy Word. Men in every age, especially today, are interested in obtaining "POWER". They will do anything to get "POWER". Men will sell their love, their honor, their reputation, yes there are those who would even sell their very soul to get "POWER".
Men want power to rule others, power to make others look up to them, power to give full expression to inward desires. And oh, so often such power brings death and destruction! It so often brings unhappiness, broken homes and broken lives. But the power released through the Blessed Word of GOD transforms and blesses lives, leaving behind a trail of blessing, joy and peace! Let me show you just what I mean.
THE WORD OF GOD HAS POWER TO CONVICT OF SIN
I need not tell you that man is a sinner, born with a tendency to sin. We take to sin like a duck takes to water. Sin is bred in the bone, it is a part of our very lives. There is no spiritual life in anyone of us until the Spirit of GOD imparts life.
I know there are those who tell you differently, but I know and your heart tells you that we are born with this tendency to sin. We know this by experience. GOD’S HOLY WORD TELLS US ALL ABOUT IT. It tells us that, -
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned" (Romans 5:12).
EVERY ONE OF US, DEAR READER, ARE SPIRTUALLY BLIND, BOUND BY SINFUL HABITS AND SPIRITUALLY DEAD. This is why men act and talk as they do. A blind man cannot see. When he tries to walk he stumbles and falls. This is why you need light. Where am I to learn where I might receive spiritual sight? Certainly no school can teach me this. All the churches in the world cannot give anyone spiritual sight either; they can only tell you where you may find it. There is only one source of spiritual light, THIS IS GOD’S HOLY WORD. Your Bible, ignored and despised by so many, held up to ridicule, and so often neglected, tells of our LORD JESUS who said,
"I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness" (John 12:46).
Dear reader, if you are a poor, blinded sinner, the Bible will convict you of sin, it will reveal to you the reason for your spiritual blindness, it will point you to the CHRIST Who can and will give you light! This is not talk, you can prove what I say by experience.
SINNERS ARE SPIRITUALLY BOUND
I need not tell you of the tremendous power of sin, for you have already experienced its power, you know what it is to be bound by sin. You are tied tighter than any shackles man could forge. Some men are bound by drink, others by gambling, others by adultery and lust in all its forms, others by the curse of money (and it can certainly become a curse). You know what is your besetting sin, it is the sin that binds you.
Would you like to be liberated? If our ears could hear it we would be deafened by the cry, "Liberty, oh give us liberty!" Where are we to find liberty? How is it to be obtained? The slavery of sin is terrible, no wonder men cry out like the Apostle Paul,
"Oh wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?" (Romans 7:24)
There is only one answer to this question in all the world, only one answer and the Bible gives it,
"If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36).
Oh, the Wonder of the Bible! Oh, the power of GOD’s Holy Word! It has power to convict of sin. It has power to set the prisoner free. As you read these lines you know I am telling you the truth! There is no other source of power in this world, anywhere, where freedom can be obtained.
Drunkard, you know you are a slave to drink, you know you are bound by sin. Your money is gone, your self-respect is gone, you now see yourself as you are, and as GOD sees you. Listen to the heartcry of your loved ones whom you are killing slowly by inches. Why, oh why, will you go on killing yourself by drink, until you wind up a dirty drunken sot, without GOD and without hope in the world, doomed of a drunkard’s Hell? I know that you do not want to drink, in your heart you long for deliverance, I want you to know that the Bible which convicts you of sin ALSO TELLS YOU OF THE ONE WHO CAN DELIVER YOU FROM BONDAGE OF DRINK. May GOD help you to see and realize this truth! Yes, this very Bible which you have neglected and ignored can bring you deliverance, it can bring you life and liberty. GET IT NOW, and begin to prayerfully study its pages.
INFIDELITY CANNOT HELP YOU
Perhaps you have been listening to men who ridicule GOD’s Holy Word, men who boast of their infidelity. Show me one man, ANYWHERE, who has been delivered from the power of drink through his infidelity! Show me one home that was once dirty and quarrelsome, a Hell upon earth, that is to-day a little Heaven, where love rules and every need is supplied, that was made so by the power of infidelity! You will never find one.
Show me one gambler delivered, one adulterer whose life was changed, in fact, ANY ONE PERSON ANYWHERE, who was delivered from the power of sin through infidelity! Search from now until the day of judgment, and all you will find is death and ruin in its trail. So why listen any longer to those who fill your ears with the poison of infidelity, which has no power to do anything but bring wreck and ruin to a life!
Thank GOD for the power of GOD’s Holy Word to convict of sin! This is why you who read these lines and who have heard the Gospel message of the Bible from the lips of faithful, born again pastors, cannot eat or sleep until you make a decision to either accept or reject our LORD JESUS CHRIST. The result is either a life of victory or a life of defeat - it is either CHRIST or the Devil, Heaven or Hell.
THE WORD OF GOD HAS POWER TO CLEANSE FROM SIN
"Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to THY WORD" (Psalms 119:9).
Consider this, dear reader, that even NOW AS YOU READ you can be made clean, through the power of GOD’s Holy Word, CLEANSED FROM EVERY SIN! I am wondering, is there an ache in your heart, is there a heart cry which comes from the depths of your being? Would you like to have that burden of sin removed forever?
This, dear reader, is my message to you. The Holy Word of GOD reveals the One who can cleanse you from sin. Think of it, dear burdened sin-sick soul, you can be cleansed through the Word! Our LORD JESUS said,
"Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you" (John 15:3).
Thief, murderer, you who are now in prison, how my heart goes out to you! Look up, even now as you read, there is hope, there is cleansing for you. You can begin life anew. This wonderful book, GOD’s Holy Word, will show you the way. You can be cleansed from every sin you have committed, even now as you read, if you will accept our LORD JESUS as your own Personal Saviour. I do not care who you are, what color of skin you may have, whether you are educated or ignorant, I do know what our LORD JESUS can do for you, the Bible makes this plain. I do know that GOD can cleanse and make you whole.
TAKE HEED TO GOD’S HOLY WORD!
THE WORD OF GOD HAS POWER TO TRANSFORM A LIFE
Let me tell you the story of Jerry McCauley. Jerry was a river thief, he would steal from the ships anchored in the New York harbor. Time and again he was thrown into prison but as soon as he was released he was back at his old life of stealing once again.
One day when in prison a Salvation Army lassie read to him out of the Bible and then gave him a copy of the Book. Jerry McCauley began to examine the Bible. It examined him, and on his knees in his cell Jerry McCauley found the CHRIST of the Book. His life was completely transformed. He at once, like the Apostle Paul, began to tell others of the CHRIST he had found and whom he had learned to love.
When he was released, he began to work, he saved his money and then opened a mission, which is a spiritual lighthouse to-day. When Jerry McCauley was called home the Mayor of New York City, the Governor of New York state and others in high positions of authority all came to present floral tributes and pay their respects to one whose life was transformed by the mighty power of GOD’s Holy Word. Tell me, dear reader, what book written by man could have wrought transformation of life and character?
Thomas Titcome, veteran missionary to the cannibals, told me how he went to these cannibal tribes in the heart of Africa, where men lived in dirt and filth beyond description, bringing to them the message of GOD’s Holy Word. He told me how he climbed over a wall of human skulls to enter the grass hut of the chief, he was the first missionary to these cannibals to tell them of our LORD JESUS in that district of Africa.
To-day, after more than half a century of the preaching of the Bible these people tell of the power of GOD’s Holy Word. No longer do they drink the blood of their enemies out of skulls. No longer do they go about naked, living in filth. The transforming power of GOD’s Holy Word has made them a different people.
I could go on, dear reader, and tell you stories, one after another, of men and women in all walks of life, whose lives have been transformed by the mighty power of the Word of GOD. Do you know that even nations have been changed because of the reading of the Bible? How we need to read it daily in every home! Do you read it with your family? Are you storing GOD’s Holy Word in the minds and hearts of your loved ones? In this space age, with crime and divorce on the increase, how it is needed! Such a heritage given to your children is worth more than money. It is something of untold value that money cannot buy!
THE WORD OF GOD HAS POWER TO GIVE WISDOM
Dear reader, I hope I can get you to do some constructive thinking. It may be that you hear GOD’s Holy Word held up to ridicule almost every day, and it may even be that you join in the unholy chorus. GOD’s Holy Word does give wisdom, now read,
"The entrance of Thy Words giveth light" (Psalms 119:130)
I have known men with but little school learning, but well versed in the knowledge of GOD’s Holy Word. I know such persons as I write these lines and so do you. They have more wisdom in the things of greatest practical and eternal import than many of the most learned men who have neglected the Bible.
Let me give you some material to give to others who laugh at GOD’s Holy Word and ridicule its truth!
Do you know that the greatest productions of man in literature, both prose and poetry, in all this world, were motivated by the Bible, this wonderful Book you may be neglecting daily?
Let us examine some of this great wealth of poetry and prose. I can give you but a few illustrations out of the multitude that are available. Mr. Whittier, poet of the common people, gives us this wonderful prayer. Read it and make it personal -
"Dear LORD and Father of Mankind,
Forgive our feverish ways,
Reclothe us in our rightful mind
In purer lives Thy service find,
In deeper reverence, praise.
Drop Thy still dews of quietness,
’Til all our strivings cease,
Take from our souls the strain and stress,
And let our ordered lives confess
The beauty of Thy peace.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
Thy coolness and Thy balm.
Let sense be dumb, let flesh retire,
Speak through the earthquake, wind and fire,
O still small voice of calm."
Tell me, please, dear reader, where did Mr. Whittier receive his inspiration to write such a wonderful prayer which expresses just what we want to say? One answer, it is the Blessed Word of GOD.
There is a song I love above any other. It was written by a man who had a most remarkable experience. Four times he walked to a river to drown himself; four times he was held back by an unseen hand. He filled a cup with poison, three times he raised the cup to drink; yet did not. Twice he placed a gun to his head, twice he lowered it, restrained by the same unseen hand.
Opening the Bible he read, again and again, the story of the death of our LORD JESUS upon the Cross. As he saw the sacred blood dripping from the cross William Cowper fell upon his knees and then and there another life was born anew. Taking his pen he wrote,
"There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from Immanuel’s veins:
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lose all their guilty stains." The late Eddie Guest, America’s greatest poet, had these words to say about this wonderful book,
"And should my soul be torn with grief,
Upon my shelf I find
A little volume, torn and thumbed
For comfort just designed.
I take my blessed Bible down
And read its pages o’er,
And when I part from it, I find
I’m stronger than before."
Washington Gladden, poet and scholar sings, -
"Shine forth, 0 light, that we may see
With hearts all unafraid,
The meaning and the mystery
Of things that Thou hast made.
Shine forth and let the darkening past
Beneath Thy beam grow bright,
Shine forth and through the future vast
With Thine untroubled light."
Percy De Armer Writes, -
"Book of Books, our people’s strength,
Statesmen, teachers, hero’s treasure.
Bringing freedom, spreading truth,
Shedding light that none can measure.
Wisdom comes to those who know Thee.
All the best we have we owe Thee."
Fawcett, another Spirit-filled poet writes, -
"How precious is the book divine,
By inspiration given,
Bright as a lamp its teaching shine
To guide our souls to Heaven.’
It sweetly cheers our drooping hearts
In this dark vale of tears,
Life, light and joy it still imparts
And quells our rising fears.
This lamp through all the tedious
Of life shall guide our way
’Till we behold the clearer light
Of an eternal day."
Dear reader, I could quote from many more, for there is a wealth of material. There is Tennyson, Milton, Wadsworth, Ruskin, Caryle, Spencer, Shelly, Dante, Browning, Riley, and many more who could be mentioned. I do, however, want to give you one more poem that has been a blessing to so many throughout the years, ~
"There’s a dear and precious book though its worn and faded now
Which recalls the happy days of long ago
When I stood at mother’s knee, with her hand upon my brow,
And I heard her voice in gentle tones and low.
There she read of JESUS’ love as He blessed the children dear,
Well, those days are passed and gone, but the memory lingers still.
And the dear old Book each day has been my guide.
And I seek to do His will, as my mother taught me then,
And ever in my heart His words abide.
Blessed Book, Precious Book,
On Thy dear old tear-stained leaves I love to look,
Thou art sweeter day by day, as I walk the narrow way
That leads at last to that bright home above."
THE REALM OF ART
We now leave the realm of literature and enter the realm of art. Here, too, we see the tremendous influence of GOD’s Holy Word. The greatest treasures in the world of art were created through the inspiration given by the Word of GOD. To illustrate this I mention Michaelangelo’s "LAST JUDGMENT" AND "THE MADONNA OF THE CHAIR." THE "IMMACULATE CONCEPTION" By Da Vinci; Raphael’s "SISTINE MADONNA" and many others I might name. Go to the great Art Institutes and see the copies for yourself.
Dear reader, what answer can unbelievers give to this? These great artist saw beyond the temporal; inspired by GOD’s Holy Word and indwelled by the HOLY SPIRIT they dipped their brushes in the glory of Heaven and painted for time and eternity.
While in the Art Institute study the greatest in sculpture. Here, too, you can see the mighty influence given by the Word of GOD. Dear reader, why doubt? How can anyone be so blind as not to see the tremendous influence of GOD’s Holy Word upon all the creations of men.
THE REALM OF MUSIC
Go into the realm of music and here, too, we see this influence manifested. It is not the jazzy, rock and roll music of this space age that we hear to-day but the mighty oratorios; I am thinking now of Handel’s "MESSIAH". I shall never forget the first time I heard it. I was a student in college working my way through school. Through special effort I managed to earn enough to buy two inexpensive tickets, and, with my roommate I went to orchestra Hall in Chicago where this great oratorio was to be sung. Our seats were up in the highest balcony on almost the back row. I think that perhaps you can picture in your mind where we were sitting. How small that large choir seemed; they were so far away!
But I am convinced we had one of the best seats in the house. How thrilled we were as we listened to the strains of, -
"He shall feed His flock and like a tender Shepherd lead them."
And then at the close, when this mighty choir, singing in perfect harmony and mighty volume the soul-stirring strains of the Hallelujah chorus,
"Hallelujah! For the LORD GOD omnipotent reigneth,
The Kingdoms of this world have become the Kingdoms our LORD and of His CHRIST.
He shall reign forever and ever
King of Kings and LORD of Lords,
And He shall reign forever and forever,
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!"
Tears were running down our cheeks unheeded. Dear reader, only GOD’s Holy Word would inspire a Spirit-filled musician to write an oratorio like that. Compare the music of the "MESSIAH" with any of the cheap rock and roll music of this space age that is so popular to-day, produced by the enemies of the Bible! The mere mention of it suggests the answer. Unbelief is negative, atheism has not produced one positive, soul-lifting, heart-stirring production in any realm! Wherever atheism goes it leaves a trail of blasted lives, broken homes, heart-ache, suicide and death!
Yes, dear reader, the Word of GOD has power to give wisdom. An atheist some days ago, curling his lip in scorn, ridiculed GOD’s Holy Word, stating that it had no power.
NO POWER! - Study the march of civilization and see what GOD’s Holy Word has done for men! As settlers located in a new land, the school and the church were builded together and the mighty influence behind both, giving the wisdom for the moulding of the lives of childhood and youth, uplifting and exalting womanhood, protecting and honoring old age, is not the cold, stark blighting atheism but THE EVER LIVING WORD OF GOD can!
Deny this, atheist, if you can!
NO POWER! - STUDY THE STORIES OF OUR GREATEST HEROES, I want you to note that the motivating spirit that impelled them to say good-bye to loved ones, home and all we count most dear, and go to carry the wonderful message of salvation through the shed blood of our Blessed LORD JESUS to these poor, bound slaves of ignorance and superstition, and finally die for their faith, is not deadly, paralyzing atheism but the power and wisdom of GOD’s Holy Word!
NO POWER! - See the man of GOD as he goes to the bedside of the dying sinner, life fast slipping into a Christless eternity with nothing but the record of a wicked, sinful wasted life. Unbeliever, WHAT HAVE YOU TO SAY TO THIS DYING SINNER? What word can you give him that will bring peace to his sin-sick soul? You stand beside him, powerless and helpless, no message of hope, no word of life. Any word you might would only come back to an empty echo and the rebound would be the endless wail of the eternal lost!
The man of GOD, looking into the eyes of the dying man, opens the pages of GOD’s Holy Word and quietly the message of salvation is given. The dying man listens as the man of GOD reads, -
"Verily, verily, I say unto you. He that heareth my Word, and believeth on Him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death into life" (John 5:24).
"Him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out" (John 6:37).
See the load of sin roll away as the dying sinner appropriates the promise of GOD’s Holy Word to his needy soul. The smile of forgiveness lights up his face, the shed blood has been applied and another soul has been born unto the kingdom of GOD even in the dying hour through the power of the Living Word!
NO POWER! - Your loved one is slipping from you. You feel the icy finger of death lay his hand upon the body.
The last gleam of consciousness fades, the lips grow cold, and soon you are left alone with your beloved dead. The voice that praised GOD is now silent and still.
Atheist, skeptic, agnostic, unbeliever, you who sneer and ridicule GOD’s Holy Word, tell me, what message can you give in this, life’s dark hour? What hope of a future reunion in a home where all tears shall be wiped away, where there is no sickness, no suffering, no dying, can you give? YOU STAND IN THIS HOUR IN A DARKNESS BLACKER THAN EGYPT’S NIGHT!
But, thank GOD, there is a light! GOD’s Holy Word rings loudly above the chilling blasts of atheism’s night the message of life, -
"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of GOD, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens" (2 Corinthians 5:1).
"I am the resurrection and the life, he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die" (John 11:25-26).
THE WORD OF GOD HAS POWER TO COMFORT IN THE HOUR OF TRIAL
Does GOD seem far away? Read Psalm 139.
Do you feel that there is no hope for you? Read John 5:24. Have friends failed you? Read Psalm 27.
Are you discouraged, whipped, beaten? Read Isaiah 40.
Are you worrying because you lost your job, your home, or your money? Read Matthew 6:19-34.
Are you sick and afraid to die? Read Psalm 23.
Are you lonely and fearful? Read John 14:16-27.
Are you having the blues? Read Psalm 34.
Do you want rest and peace? Read Matthew 11:25-30.
Is your heart broken because of the death of a dear one? Read John 15.
Would you like to know if you are saved or not? Read Romans 8.
Dear reader, how well our SHUT-INS know the mighty power of GOD’s Holy Word to bring comfort in an hour of need! See their well worn Bibles. They know the promises are true. They are like the old lady who marked her Bible with the letters "T. P." in many places. When she was asked to tell what these letters stood for she replied, "They mean ’tried and proven’, I have tried them and I have proven that they are true." Our shut-ins know that these promises are true and will be fulfilled to the very letter when we meet the conditions. The shut-ins know the power of GOD’s Holy Word to transform a life.
Dear Reader, read GOD’s Holy Word. Spend more time studying its pages. To know its truth, to enjoy its wisdom, to experience its power, you need to know Him Whom the Word glorifies, our LORD and Saviour JESUS CHRIST, the Son of GOD.
If you are not a Christian, will you now, before you read the next chapter, open the door of your heart and give the HOLY SPIRIT entrance? He will cleanse you from all your sin, then unite with your spirit and take up His abode in your body, bringing to you untold joy, peace and happiness, and releasing to you power to meet all your needs, be they physical, material or spiritual. GOD HELP YOU TO MAKE THIS DECISION!