Xanthe Hancox

And 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

The Thessalonians’ attitude to God’s Word made them one of the most outstanding churches in the first century. I think that Paul describes two characteristics of their reception of the word of God in this verse.

Firstly, they recognised its authority

They didn’t see it as just Paul’s opinion but they saw it as the eternal truth of God. They understood that this was a message filled with divine authority and accepted it. Just because Paul had spoken the message didn’t mean that it necessarily would go any further than that. But the Thessalonians acted on that message. They accepted it. They put their trust in it. The same is true today. You may have heard the Bible message many times, but if you will not accept it and welcome it into your heart it will not accomplish its work.

Secondly, they submitted to its transforming work.

Once received, this word of God becomes an active power operating continually in our lives. When the word of God is at work in us, there is a change in behaviour and constant fruitfulness. If the word of God is to transform us, we must spend time reading the Bible and thinking about it. We cannot grow into the image of Christ if we are reading about them.

Paul gives thanks for the way the Thessalonians received the word of God ‒ they embraced the Bible as God’s truth and applied it to their lives. How is the word of God transforming your life? Is it at work in your life or does your Bible merely sit on your bookshelf? It will not transform us if it simply collects dust. It can only transform us when we read it, absorb it, and allow it to change every part of us.

Prayer: Thank you for your word Lord. Thank you for the wonderful privilege of the Bible in my language.  I pray that I would accept the truth of you word and apply it to my life so that I might be transformed to your likeness. Amen.