The Transforming Power of God’s Word
“…the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
1 Peter 1:14-16 tells Christians to be “As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” This means we are not to act as we did before we received Jesus as Saviour. Rather, we are to live holy, obedient lives that honor God, who called us to be saved in the first place.
1 Peter 1:14 also says, “in your ignorance:” We are not to be ignorant of God’s word. We are to make it part of our everyday life: not just reading, but memorizing and meditating on it: “And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:” (Deuteronomy 6:6)
The more we make Scripture part of our thinking, the more God speaks to us through “…the voice of his word.” (Psalm 103:20) As Proverbs 6:22 says, “When thou goest, it shall lead thee; when thou sleepest, it shall keep thee; and when thou awakest, it shall talk with thee.”
Reading and memorizing and meditating on Scripture also does not just help us to know the Bible better. It also transforms us. That’s why Paul, in our passage, referred to “…the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” As we spend time in God’s word, it affects our hearts to transform us and make us stronger and more mature Christians.
1 Peter 2:2 says, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:” A baby starts with milk, then goes to solid food. As he eats healthy and exercises, he slowly but surely grows and becomes strong. God’s word works that way in our Christian lives.
No Christian is perfect. Paul the apostle struggled with sin. He said, “Having therefore these promises [in God’s word], dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves [he included himself] from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Corinthians 7:1)
Filthiness of the flesh refers to outward sins that others can see. Filthiness of the spirit refers to inward sins in our heart that only God sees. Yet God deals with our consciences through His word–”these promises”–to convince us to confess and repent of sins when we are guilty.
The more we spend time in Scripture, the more we develop convictions to obey it: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” (Psalm 119:9) Also, the more we memorize and meditate on Scripture, the more we enjoy doing it, and the more we do it. That’s why the psalmist said, “O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day.” (Psalm 119:97)
1 John 3:2-3 says, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.” One wonderful day, we will see Jesus and be like Him. Until that day, God uses His word to purify us as we pay attention to it and obey it.
Yet the only way to enjoy the benefits of memorizing and meditating on God’s word is to do it: “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” (John 13:17, boldface added) Just as the only way to have the joy of being saved is to receive Jesus as Saviour. To learn how to do that, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller 8/15/2025