Daily Devotions
It Is Written
"The word of God..."
Text: 1 Thessalonians 2:13
RECEIVING THE WORD OF GOD WELL
The Thessalonian Church was an outstanding Church in the days of the Apostle Paul. However, the strength of the church did not lie in the apostolic ministry of Paul. The circumstances in Thessalonica were so hostile that Paul and Silas were escorted out of the city or they might have been killed. How then did the Thessalonian Church become so powerful? The answer lies with the way they received the word of God.
“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing,
because when you received the word of God which you heard from us,
you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth,
the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”
1 Thessalonians 2:13
1. “For this reason we also thank God without ceasing”
a) Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians reflected much thanksgiving.
b) There are many reasons one’s heart may be filled with thanksgiving.
c) In this instance, it is related to the way the Thessalonians received the gospel.
2. “Because when you received the word of God which you heard from us”
a) Paul was of course referring to the preaching of the gospel (1 Thessalonians 1:5).
b) The gospel may indeed be regarded as “the word of God”.
3. “You welcomed it not as the word of men”
a) There were some who rejected the gospel.
b) They became enemies of the Gospel and those who preached it.
c) They saw the gospel as the mere words of men.
4. “You welcomed it… as it is in truth, the word of God”
a) The Thessalonians “welcomed” the gospel message as “the word of God”.
b) Paul commended the Thessalonians for their correct regard of the gospel.
c) This understanding was not always in the hearts of many; thus when it is present, it brought much joy.
5. “Which also effectively works in you who believe”
a) The Holy Spirit works in the heart through the Word of God.
b) The Word of God, being spirit and life, will work effectively in the heart of those who believe.
c) The Thessalonian Church became a very significant one because of the power of the word of God at work.
IS THE WORD OF GOD WORKING EFFECTIVELY IN US?
Much depends on how we receive the word of God! Let us learn how to welcome it in our hearts. Our regard for the Lord’s word will determine how effectively it will affect us!