1 Thessalonians 2:12-13, “We exhorted each one of you, and encouraged and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. And we also thank God constantly for this, that when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God, which is at work in you believers.”
The Word of God has the power to change lives. Every time we read the Word of God, it gives us instruction, information, wisdom, knowledge, sustains, and gives comfort. It produces repentance, peace, and joy from receiving hope, love, and knowing God better. As Ephesians 1:9 states. “Making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ . . .”
I have been asking God to make known to me “the mystery of his will, according to his purpose,” on a few specific items. Do I believe God is always good? Yes, absolutely. Do I believe He loves me? Yes, I have that assurance from His Word (Isaiah 43:1). So as I continue to read through and study the Bible, I know the Word of God will be working in me, plus teaching me things as I wait upon God to act.
What verse that you read recently has had a powerful effect upon you? That is evidence that God is at work in you as a believer. Paul’s life was an example of what it means to follow God. He was not tempted by greed or pride and went through many times of suffering that he believed and taught, produces endurance, character, and God-saturated hope (Romans 5:3-5). I have to ask myself, what do others think of God from watching me? I often fail and don’t want to embarrass God from the words that come out of my mouth (Paul called it “murmuring”) or my emotional reactions.
Warren Wiersbe said in his Bible Commentary on 1 Thessalonians 13, “When we believe God’s Word and obey, He releases power – divine energy – that works in our lives to fulfill His purposes.” The New Living Translations states 1 Thessalonians 2:12-13 this way, “We comforted and encouraged you and challenged you to adopt a lifestyle worthy of God, who invites you into his kingdom and glory. This is why we continually thank God for your lives because you received our message wholeheartedly. You embraced it not as the fabrication of men but as the word of God. And the word continues to be an energizing force in you who believe.”
The evidence is clear. We can trust God’s promises, His commandments, and His divine purposes for us as we go about our daily life. On the other hand, we cannot count as truth everything we read in today’s news headlines. People will let us down and expectations will fall short. The remedy is found in Hebrews 12:2, “Looking to Jesus (NIV says fixing our eyes on Jesus), the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of God.”
Encourage others to read God’s Word, even nonChristians. It will transform one’s life as the evidence will be clear.
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