“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” (Psalm 19:7) This verse is just one of many throughout the Bible claiming that the Bible is able—very able—to show us how to safely reach the end of life and to enter the home of the soul by the grace of God.
Jesus also frequently referred to the ability of the word of God. In His temptations with Satan, He replied, “It is written” every time (Matthew 4:1-11). He said, “And you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free” (John 8:32). And He claimed that “the truth” is the word of God in John 17:17, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”
Here are four things that the word of God is ABLE to do for you:
- IT IS ABLE TO MAKE YOU WISE UNTO SALVATION (II Timothy 3:15)”…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
This quotation refers to the fact that the Old Testament was taught to Timothy while he was young (by his mother and grandmother; II Timothy 1:5). The content of the Old Testament is such that it causes the student who uses it properly to look for the One person who fulfills all that the Old Testament says about God’s plan of salvation: Jesus Christ.
Becoming wise unto salvation includes learning about the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. It includes learning about the wonders of the Bible. It includes learning about the need to obey the will of God without changing or rejecting it in any way. It includes believing what Paul said in the next two verses of II Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”
- IT IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOUL (James 1:21)…”Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” In another section of scripture that stresses the power of the Bible (James 1:18-27), the claim is made that this word is able to save our souls. Included in this is the fact that no one can be saved apart from obeying any and all commands given by God that bring us into a saved relationship with God.
The New Testament is as clear on this point as it can be: there are five commands that a sinner must obey in order to be saved and thus added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:40-47).
For part 2 of this epistle, check out The Word of God is Able (Part 2 of 2)