Let us read John 8:32.
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
A young woman once went to visit a friend and was raped by a man there. Tragically, she became pregnant as a result. Although she wanted nothing to do with the man, she decided that she would marry him for the sake of the child she was carrying. The man, however, refused to marry her. When her father learned what had happened, he strongly pressured her to have an abortion. Eventually, unable to withstand his persistent pressure, she had the abortion.
Afterward, she was overwhelmed by guilt over the death of her unborn child and suffered deeply. She could not bear the thought of seeing the man who had assaulted her again, so she moved to another country. But no matter how far away she went, she could not escape the guilt she carried within her.
She began attending church. Whenever she went to church, she wept and prayed for God to forgive her sin, but still she could not escape the burden of guilt.
She wondered whether helping people in need might free her from her guilt, so whenever she earned money, she gave to those who were struggling. Yet no matter how many good works she did, the pain in her heart remained.
When she had become completely exhausted, someone she knew invited her to attend a Bible seminar. There she heard these words:
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” (John 1:29)
At that moment, she realized that her own sin was included in “the sin of the world” that Jesus had taken away. She came to believe that because Jesus had borne the punishment in her place on the cross, all her sins had been forgiven.
Then an indescribable joy and peace entered her heart. At last, she was freed from the guilt and condemnation that had tormented her so cruelly.
She had not obtained that freedom through her own efforts. She could not obtain it by doing good works for others, nor could she obtain it simply by weeping and praying. But when she heard the Word of God and believed in Jesus Christ, she found freedom.
Psalm 107 says:
“Their soul abhorreth all manner of meat; and they draw near unto the gates of death. Then they cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions.” (Psalm 107:18–20)
God sends His Word, heals people, and delivers them from destruction.
Cornelius Was Saved Through Hearing the Word
There was a man in Caesarea named Cornelius. He was a centurion of the band called the Italian band. He was a devout man who feared God with all his household, gave generously to the people, and prayed to God continually.
If human works were the condition of salvation, Cornelius would have appeared to be more worthy of salvation than most people.
But no one can be justified before God by his own works. Therefore, God sent Peter to the house of Cornelius to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to him.
When Peter arrived, Cornelius had gathered his relatives and close friends together to hear the Word of God. Peter began preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to them.
As Peter said:
“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43)
the Holy Ghost fell on all those who heard the Word.
They were not saved because of their good works. They were saved because they believed the gospel of Jesus Christ that was preached to them.
The Power of the Word
The woman who had been tormented by guilt after having an abortion heard the gospel of Jesus Christ and came to understand the grace of forgiveness. Likewise, when those gathered in the house of Cornelius heard that whoever believes in Jesus receives forgiveness of sins through His name, they received the Holy Ghost.
In this way, the Word has power to save.
The Word has power because the Word is God. John 1:1 says:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” (John 1:1)
And Jesus Christ is the Word who became flesh and came among us. Therefore, the words of Jesus have the power to accomplish what He speaks.
Once, Jesus was asleep in a boat with His disciples when a great storm arose. The waves beat against the ship until it began to fill with water. The disciples woke Jesus and cried:
“Master, carest thou not that we perish?” (Mark 4:38)
Then Jesus arose, rebuked the wind, and said to the sea:
“Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:39)
Immediately, the wind ceased, and there was a great calm.
On another occasion, Jesus stood before the tomb of Lazarus, who had died, and cried:
“Lazarus, come forth.” (John 11:43)
And the man who had been dead came out of the tomb, bound hand and foot with graveclothes.
Jesus also came to the daughter of Jairus, who had died, and said:
“Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” (Mark 5:41)
Immediately, the girl arose.
Jesus said:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
And He also said:
“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32)
Therefore, when we believe the Word of Jesus in our hearts, His Word works powerfully within us. It sets us free not only from sin, but also from the things that have held us in bondage.
Psalm 33:9 says:
“For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast.” (Psalm 33:9)