We also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. (1 Thessalonians 2:13)
One Sabbath day, Paul showed up at the synagogue in Thessalonica. He got up and preached to the people who had gathered there that day. Then he did it again the next Sabbath. And the next one. He read from the Old Testament and preached that Jesus was the promised Savior (see Acts 17).
Some people didn’t believe him. They started a riot and drove Paul out of the city! But some people did believe him. The words they heard from Paul forever changed their hearts and lives.
How? It was the Word of God! This little verse makes a profound statement about the Bible. As Paul preached to those believers in Thessalonica, they didn’t receive his words as human words. They didn’t think, “This guy has some nice things to say.” Or, “I like Paul’s opinions.” No!
Instead, as they heard Paul speak, they accepted his message “as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” Paul’s message was the Word of God!
That’s what the Bible is: The Word of God. God had Paul write down the message that he preached. Paul wrote thirteen letters that are in the New Testament. When we hear those letters read, when we hear the Bible read, how are we to receive it? “Not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God.”
You know that many people don’t believe that today. Sadly, even many Christian denominations and Christian preachers have forsaken the truth of the Bible. The devil tempts our own hearts to doubt or ignore the Bible’s message. Watch out! The Bible is the Word of God.
Your attitude toward the Bible reflects what’s truly in your heart. Faith in Jesus and trust in God’s Word can’t ever be separated, because it is the Word of God “which is indeed at work in you who believe.” Faith comes from the Word. This is why the Bible changes hearts and lives. This is why the Bible brings such peace to souls. This is why the Bible elicits such strong reactions. It’s true. It’s the Word of God!
Dear God, in your amazing grace, you have given us your Word. Remove our sinful pride, calm our doubts, and lead us to receive your Word as it actually is, the Word of God. Amen.
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