GLENN SHAFFER

No doubt, you are very much aware of how important God’s Word is to your daily victories.  You may have already been able to see yourself growing as a result of applying the Word of God to your life. Whether it is overcoming the world, flesh, sin, or the Devil, the Word of God, along with God’s Spirit, is the key to victory.   The Bible is significant in the life of a Christian.

When we were children, we sang a song in children’s church that said, “Read your Bible and pray every day, and you will grow, grow, grow.”  With body actions emphasizing the growing part, we would squat down and pretend that we were growing a little each time we said “grow.”  Today’s lesson is to remind you of the benefits of God’s Word and growth in your life.

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation. (1 Peter 2:2)

Peter calls the Word of God “pure spiritual milk.”  There is no other word that is unadulterated, except God’s Word, which will cause us to grow.

The Workings of His Word

Paul tells the Thessalonians that the Word of God was at work in them.[1] It was at work in them because they fully accepted it as God’s Word.  When you cherish the Word of God and apply it to your life, there are special benefits.

God’s Word Brings Salvation

For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.

(1 Peter 1:23)

Peter says that we are born again by the doctrine of the living God that remains forever and will never change.  The Word of God is the means by which a man receives the incorruptible seed.[2]

God’s Word Brings Faith

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

Faith comes when you hear the message of Christ.  Preaching the Gospel is the ordinary means of salvation.  When a person hears the Word personally, it is a spiritual hearing, and it brings faith.  What he hears in his heart, it is a Living Word for him.  At that moment he can see a portion of what God sees.  That is faith.  When you realize that you are lacking faith, the best thing to do is to find out what God’s Word says about the matter.  Read, pray, and meditate those verses that apply to your situation.  God will bring faith into your heart as you apply the Word of God.

God’s Word Brings Transformation

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. (James 1:21)

The Word of God engrafted or applied to your souls, which is your mind, will, and emotions, has the power to save your soul.  The word “you” is often translated as “soul” from the Greek word psuche. Your soul is transformed by renovating your mind with the Word of God.[3]

God’s Word Brings Cleansing

You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.

(John 15:3)

Paul speaks of the Church and says we are cleansed by the washing of the water by the Word.[4] It has the power to cleanse our thought life, attitudes, and emotions.  In the Psalms David said that a man can stay pure by living according to the Word of God.[5]

God’s Word Brings Clarity

For the Word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12)

We must have a standard beyond our own feelings and emotions.  There are times when we must depend upon the Word, which is able to divide between our soul and spirit.  Your mind, will, and emotions might be telling you to do something that is unclear or possibly contrary to the will of God.  Confusion will enter into your life until you see God’s Word on the matter.  Once you receive God’s Word, the matter is closed.  The Word is the final authority.  It doesn’t matter how you feel or what your intentions are, the Word is able to judge your heart properly.  You cannot clearly judge your own heart.[6] It requires the Word of God to judge you.  The entrance of God’s Word gives light and understanding.[7]

God’s Word Brings Hope

For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

Hope is what keeps your soul secure.[8] You lose hope when you fail to remember what God has to say about the situation.  Regular time in God’s Word will keep you emotional and mentally steadfast.

God’s Word Brings Strength

Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. (Acts 20:32)

Jesus said that anyone who hears His words and puts them to practice is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it because it was well-built.[9] Your life will be settled and strengthened in proportion to your willingness to hear and practice God’s Word.

Putting the Word of God into practice in your life is being a “doer of the Word.”  James tells us that if we do not continue in the Word of God, we will be like one who looks into the mirror and goes away forgetting what he looks like.[10] By spending time reading, meditating, memorizing, and studying God’s Word, you are gazing into God’s mirror.  That is when it will benefit you the most and bring blessings into your life.  Paul told Timothy to continue in what you have learned.[11] Your life will persevere to maturity simply by continuing in the Word of God.

---

[1] 1 Thessalonians 2:13

[2] Ephesians 1:13

[3] Romans 12:2

[4] Ephesians 5:26

[5] Psalm 119:9

[6] 1 Corinthians 4:1

[7] Psalm 119:130

[8] Hebrews 6:19

[9] Luke 6:47-48

[10] James 1:22-25

[11] 2 Timothy 3:14-15

About the Author:

Glenn Shaffer is the author of Apostolic Government in the 21^st Century, Christianity 101 and Discipleship 201. He has a Masters of Ministry degree in leadership studies from Southwestern Christian University and is working toward a Doctorate in Ministry at ORU in Tulsa.

Glenn and his wife, Ami have been married for 40 years with two sons, Matt and Daniel. Together, they co-see the elder pastoral care of Destiny Life Church, one church in two locations (Owasso and Claremore, Oklahoma) where they have been serving for almost 4 decades. It is a non-denominational church, based on a New Testament Apostolic form of church government. Together, they also serve as the directors of ATI- Apostolic Teams International, an emerging network of churches and ministers.