1 Thessalonians 2:13

1 Thessalonians 2:13

And because of this we also give thanks to God without ceasing.  Because after receiving a word of God of hearing from us, you all received not a word of mankind but rather as it is truly a word of God which is also at work in you all who believe.

Thoughts for Today

First Thought:

Paul reminds the Thessalonians that they received the good news from God for what it truly was.  I think that this is a point that is easy to hear and even easier to overlook.  It is so easy to hear the Word of God and just assume that it is right without actually letting it transform our lives!  How many sermons have I heard and knew that it was good word but I wasn’t open to actually letting it transform my life?  I am embarrassed to confess how many times I’ve heard people speak about God’s Word and simply received it as another man’s thoughts and not God’s attempt to speak truth into my life.  But that is not what happened in Thessalonica.  The Thessalonians heard and believed and their lives were changed.

Have you felt God’s Word change your life?  What does that feel like?  Have you ever been guilty of hearing truth but not receiving as God speaking to you in order to change your life?

Second Thought:

This naturally sets up what Paul says in the last part of this verse.  The Word of God is at work in those who believe.  Those who receive God’s Word as God’s Word will have their lives changed because of it.  When we receive God’s Word and are open to it, we will know the difference in our life.

Are you changed by the Word of God?  In what way?  Where might God be able to change you more?

Third Thought:

What is the ultimate fruit of this relationship between Paul’s ministry goals and the Thessalonian’s reception?  The fruit is unceasing thanks to God.  That’s an incredible truth about the true fruit of ministry.  God’s name should be praised by all people involved.  When God’s ministry is done in a manner that is submissive to God’s ways, we know that God will be praised.

Is it your experience that God is praised in your ministry?  Why does it make sense to say that the praise of God’s name is a great litmus test for genuine ministry?

Passage for Tomorrow: 1 Thessalonians 2:14-16