Saint Augustine of Hippo (13 November 354 – 28 August 430) was a church father whose life was transformed by the Word of God. Augustine used to be a womaniser, a rowdy drunk, an occasional thief, and an unbeliever; he made a mess of his life.
At the age of 31, however, Augustine repented because of the Word of God; Romans 13:13-14: Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the flesh.
Since then, Augustine began to yearn for the truth. He was baptised and became a priest, then a bishop. He preached over 6,000 sermons, fought heresies, explained doctrines, and was one of the greatest church fathers and theologians. His legacy lives on to inspire souls through his writings.
The Word of God truly has the power to transform lives. Why is that so? It is because the Word is God Himself. The lives of many people have been transformed when they encountered God as they found the purpose and meaning of life in Him and they found answers in Him that they could not find anywhere else.
When someone reads the Word of God, the Holy Spirit works in him and touches and softens his hardened heart (see Acts 10:44). The Holy Spirit initiates a transformation in his life, which is not a change from without, but from within his heart. Therefore, do not underestimate the importance of reading God’s Word as it is a means for us to meet God, who transforms our lives.
“… and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:15-16).