Accept God's Word for What It Is

Note from today’s Bible reading: 1 Thessalonians 1-2

In Paul’s first letter to the brethren in Thessalonica, he praised them for their response to his preaching. However, it is important to understand the reason why they responded in the way that they did.

Notice what Paul wrote: “For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).

First of all, we see that Paul’s message consisted of “the word of God.” He was not preaching his opinions or any man-made commandments; he was preaching the gospel.

When the brethren in Thessalonica heard Paul’s message, they did not accept it because they liked Paul (whatever they thought of him personally was irrelevant). They were not swept up by a charismatic speaker, nor did they accept Paul’s message because it matched what they already believed (as many do today).

Instead, they accepted Paul’s message because they recognized it “for what it really is, the word of God.” This was the reason why they believed and obeyed it. This was reason why Paul wanted them to accept it (the message, not the messenger), and he thanked God that they did so. We need to have the same attitude today.

So accept God’s word for what it is. The Scriptures are not from man, they are inspired by God (cf. 2 Timothy 3:16). This is why we follow them – we are striving to follow the Lord rather than men.