God's word *is* power

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. (1 Co 1:18)

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power. After making purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high. (Heb 1:3)

It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is of no avail. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life. (Jn 12:48)


These verses communicate a truth that has been highlighted for us again and again as a people in Coventry. God's word does not just carry God's power - it is God's power. When God speaks it is as good as done, not only because he cannot lie, but because his very speaking accomplishes it! He does nothing that he does not speak first (Amos 3:7). When we pray, we are not twisting God's arm to do something he doesn't want to do, but we are cooperating with him in the very way he has chosen to work. Our speaking it out to him is the way he has chosen to bring it into reality.

Nowhere is the power intrinsic to the very nature of God's word clearer than in the gospel. These words that may seem like foolishness to some, don't just allow the power of God for salvation to come - they are the power of God for salvation.

For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. (Ro 1:16)