The Value of God's Word

January 25, 2008

By Ken Horn

It is impossible to overestimate the value of God's Word. All over the world it is the power of the Bible that leads people to Christ. It is not our oratory or organization. It is not our abilities or education. Personality can't save a soul; even compassion finds it too great a task.

All of these things are helpful in ministry when used with the Word, but all of them are abject failures when depended upon without the Word.

In the churches I pastored I frequently said from the pulpit, "Don't believe what I say just because I'm the pastor. Look in the Bible and make sure it's there."

On the other hand, the Bible can stand alone. A random page of God's Word has been known to convert an entire village. Small slips of paper with Scripture portions are responsible for multitudes of individual salvations.

Most Christians know the experience of reading God's Word and having a verse jump out at them as if it were written specifically to them. This is the work of the Holy Spirit illuminating the words of the Book He wrote.

When you read the Bible with an open heart, it functions as God intended, as the living Word, sharper than a two-edged sword, piercing and discerning the spirit (Hebrews 4:12). The Bible is the only Book in which you can actually communicate with the Author every time you read it.

Woodrow Wilson, our 28th president, summed it up beautifully:

"You will know the Bible is the Word of God when you read it; for in it you will find the key to your own heart, your own happiness, and your success. I beg of you that you read it and find this out for yourselves."

The value of God's Word? Priceless.

-- Ken Horn is the editor of Today's Pentecostal Evangel.