God’s Word Changes Lives

February 2012 – Grace & Truth Magazine

God’s Word Changes Lives

“If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.” — 1 John 2:24 ESV

Clarence Hall, a World War 2 correspondent in the South Pacific, wrote of the surprise of an advance patrol of the American Army when it came upon the village of Shimabuku. Unlike other Okinawan villages they had captured, this one was clean and neat; its people were educated, gentle and loving; and there was no poverty. The soldiers were so astounded by this dramatic contrast that they asked the Army intelligence to investigate why this village was so different.

Hall reported their finding in these words: “Thirty years before the war, an American missionary had stopped there on his way to Japan. During his brief stay, two men came to Christ – Shosei and Mojon Kina. The missionary left a Japanese Bible with them and encouraged them to read it daily and live by it. For 30 years these villagers had no contact with any other missionaries, but they did hear the Bible and it came alive in them. The two brothers taught every man, woman and child how to become a Christian. Mojon became their elder and Shosei became their teacher. The Bible was read aloud daily and its precepts became the law in the village. I can never think of the benefits of the Bible without thinking of Shimabuku,” concluded Hall.

Hall also recorded the reaction of one tough sergeant as he patrolled this Christian village: “I don’t get it! This kind of people coming from one Bible and a couple of old guys who wanted to live like Jesus. Maybe we’re using the wrong kind of weapons in this war.”

This true story demonstrates the truth of 1 John 2:24 above – how God’s Word changes lives. Read this month’s Features and you’ll find out more about the power it can have in yours.

By Larry Ondrejack