Don Stewart :: What Power Does the Bible Have to Change Lives? (Animation)

What Power Does the Bible Have to Change Lives? (Animation)

Why the Bible Is So Special – Question 21

One of the unique things about the Bible is the power of its message to change lives. This is also known as “animation.” Like no other book ever written, the message of Scripture has the ability to transform lives. We read about the power of God’s Word in both testaments. The psalmist wrote:

The law of the LORD is perfect and preserves one’s life. The rules set down by the LORD are reliable and impart wisdom to the untrained. The LORD’s precepts are fair and make one happy. The LORD’s commands are pure and give moral insight. The commands to fear the LORD are right and permanent. (Psalm 19:7-9 NET)

According to this passage, the Word of God is perfect, trustworthy, right, radiant, sure and always righteous. It has the ability to change someone’s life.

A number of important observations need to be made:

1. The Message of the Bible Is Living and Powerful

The writer to the Hebrews declared the Scriptures to be living and powerful. He wrote the following:

Indeed, the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing until it divides soul from spirit, joints from marrow; it is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Hebrews 4:12 NRSV)

The words of Scripture can do what no other book can do.

2. The Biblical Message Has Power over Unbelievers

Scripture has power over both believers and unbelievers. Paul told Timothy the Scriptures are able to make unbelievers wise unto salvation:

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. (2 Timothy 3:14-15 TNIV)

From Holy Scripture alone, unbelievers discover how to have a personal relationship with the living God through Jesus Christ.

3. Scripture Has Power over Believers to Change Their Lives

Scripture also has a profound effect on those who believe in God’s promises. Isaiah the prophet records the Lord saying:

As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:10-11 NIV)

The words of Scripture have the ability to transform the lives of those who believe in its truths and obey its commands.

4. The Message of the Bible Can Be Read with Profit over and over Again

One of the things that separates the Bible from any other book that has ever been written is that its message can be read over and over again without exhausting the contents. No other book in the world can make such a claim. Millions have testified to the unsearchable riches that are contained in the pages of Scripture.

No matter how many times a person reads the Bible, there is always something new that can be learned. Why is this so? What makes the Bible so special? The answer is simple: it is God’s Book to humanity and it contains His unsearchable riches.

Summary – Question 22
What Power Does the Bible Have to Change Lives? (Animation)

The Bible is unique among books in that it has the power to change lives. This is also known as “animation.” It reveals to the unbeliever the way of eternal salvation. To the believer, it is life changing in its truth. Indeed, the Scripture can be read time and time again with new things learned upon each reading.

No other book has such ability. This is another indication that the Bible is what it claims to be; the Word of God.