Daily Devotional – Sunday, December 18, 2023
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 (NKJV)
Any preacher who has delivered a message that is critical of sin knows that the reactions of some hearers can be brutal. Some may respond with hostile facial expressions, while others may opt to walk out on the speaker. In some cases, the minister will be the subject of gossip and character assassination.
You Received the Word of God as Truth
At a personal level, a church member once followed me after a Bible study session and demanded to know why I had directed my lesson at him. His reaction marked one of the saddest moments in my long preaching history because it is not in my character to spend precious time on my knees and in study preparing to launch a personal attack.
In the Bible, the Christians at Thessalonica exemplified the best reaction to the truth, irrespective of whether it hurt or encouraged them. Apostle Paul commended them, saying, “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).
How to Receive the Word of God
The Thessalonians appreciated that Paul and his colleagues were preaching the word of God. Paul was impressed by their spiritual maturity. He was grateful that they had allowed the truth to work in them effectively. In other words, even when Paul pointed out their mistakes, these believers would accept it as God’s admonition and make the necessary amends.
How do you receive the word of God? Do you get angry at the preacher for telling you the truth? Do you trust fully in the promises of God as emanating from Him and not from human beings? Is the truth working effectively in you through your obedience? Do you credit Bible teachings to your church minister or to God, the source of the word?
Prayer
Heavenly Father, teach me to receive your word as saving truth, because that is what it is.
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