1ST THESSALONIANS 2:13 - PART 1

THURSDAY 16 FEBRUARY 2023

The versified topic, 1st Thessalonians 2:13, is part of Pauline ministry in Thessalonica. From the beginning of the chapter, apostle Paul shared his inspired thoughts concerning the spirit of his visit to the church, which was well known and acknowledged by them because it was no flop. In a nutshell, his mission in Thessalonica was hugely honoured by God in a gainful manner. Let's find out more!

Reference: 1 Thessalonians 2:13 New King James Version (NKJV) "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."

Having exhorted, comforted and encouraged the saints in Thessalonica, to walk worthy of God who called them into His kingdom and glory, Paul gave thanks on their behalf for these reasons without ceasing:

Firstly, because they heard the truth from Paul and received it as the Word of God (Hearing and reception).

Secondly, because they welcomed it, not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God (Acceptance).

Thirdly, the Word also effectively works in them because they believed it (Faith and efficacy).

In the successive parts of this wonderful topic, I'm going to expound the verse accordingly, or as noted above. Unlike the Corinthians who struggled to break their old religious and cultural ties when they came to faith, the saints in Thessalonica received the message of the glorious gospel preached by Paul with meekness. They didn't pass it off as a mere human opinion, but took it to heart as God's true Word to them, which in turn, mightily worked in their lives, and as a result, they followed Christ wholeheartedly, irrespective of the persecution they faced for their devotion.

For this reason, Paul enjoyed diverse pleasurable situations and memorable moments during the period he spent with the Thessalonian church. Indeed, their significant hope and newfound faith in God, as well as their love for Christ, empowered them to stand firm in the Lord, regardless of their persecution and challenges, which implied that Paul's labour of love on their behalf yielded tremendous results, and for this reason, Paul held them in high esteem - as Christians serving as a desirable model, with exemplary "Christlike" attitude and commendable conducts.

Beloved, God's Word wields a powerful effect in the lives of those who have received it, believed it, accepted it as eternal truth, and have been putting it to work. Therefore be encouraged to keep hearing it, and welcoming it as God's truth, and also persevere in meditating on it, as well as practising it on a regular basis, and your faith will be richly rewarded from time to time. Stay tuned for part 2. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - John 8:31; Colossians 3:16; John 15:7; 1 Peter 1:23; James 1:18.

Guided Prayer: Dear Father in heaven, I honour you today because I count myself blessed to have come to Christ Jesus, by hearing, receiving and accepting the Word of truth, without reservation. With open face, I behold your glory in the Word and I function in the light, thereby experiencing the transforming power of the gospel, by the working of the Spirit, which positions me to become more like Christ in my Christian walk. I acknowledge that I have a clear view of the Word and it works mightily in my life in Jesus' Name, Amen.