How The Bible Changes Us // BYOB [Part 6 of 6]

Jesus: “The words I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life!”  John 6:63 (NIV) 

“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 (NIV) 

HOW DOES GOD’S WORD CHANGE ME?

1. It recreates my life.

“God was delighted to give us birth by the truth of his infallible Word…” James 1:18 (NIV) 

“There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”

2 Timothy 3:15 (MSG)

“You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring Word of God.”  1 Peter 1:23 (NIV)

2. It eradicates my guilt.

“…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the Word.” Eph. 5:25-26 (NIV) 

“You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you.” John 15:3 (NIV)

3. It activates my faith.

“Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word of Christ.”  Romans 10:17 (NIV) 

4. It stimulates my growth.

“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 (NIV) 

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Tim. 3:16-17 (NIV)

5. It illuminates my mind.

“Understanding your Word brings light to the minds of ordinary people.”  Psalm 119:130 (CEV) 

“I have more insight than all my teachers, because your written instructions are in my thoughts.” Psalm 119:99 (GW)

“Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.”  Psalm 119:105 (NIV)

“Open my eyes to see wonderful things in your Word.” Psalm 119:18 (LB)

HOW DO I GAIN THESE BENEFITS?

1. Learn it.

Jesus: “Your trouble is that you don’t know the Scriptures…”  Mark 12:24 (LB)

2. Accept it.

“When you received the Word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but as it actually is, the Word of God, which is at work in you who believe.” 1 Thess. 2:13 (NIV)

3. Act on it.

“Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.” John 13:17 (NIV)