[364 words]
People often look in the wrong place to find real power.
Sometimes, folks look for power in the teachings of human beings. We humans are sometimes amazing. But, when it comes to true power we suddenly find ourselves unable to do very much.
The teachings of Confucius are great, but are not divinely inspired and cannot provide salvation. The writings of John Locke influenced the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the creation of the new government of the United States, but Locke believed we can only know those things we experience through our senses.
Soren Kierkegaard, the great Danish philosopher, was a great writer and thinker, but Kierkegaard believed man must take a leap of faith into the unknown. The Bible teaches faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. There is no “leap.”
Politicians like to demonstrate their power in elective office and sometimes the people are the ones to suffer. One of the lessons of humans and political power is that, although they may mean well, their use of power leaves something to be desired, doesn’t it?
When humans seek true power to change their lives and prepare themselves for heaven, there is only one source. The Bible has the powerful word of God which is able to “which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified” (Acts 20:32).
When desiring the knowledge of salvation, that power is available only through the word of God (Romans 1:16). Sure, there are people who appear on television and ask us to believe their wondrous “works.” It seems these men can do almost anything, but they alone do not have the power to save souls. That power rests supremely with the word of God. James wrote, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls,” (James 1:21).
It is the word of God that can save us, and nothing man can offer. Belief and obedience to the word of God has always been necessary for men to be saved.
John Henson
Grand Blanc church of Christ
Grand Blanc, MI