Paul continues to give further elements that contributed to the Transformation of the lives of these Thessalonian Christians. He says, it is their view of God’s word that made the difference.
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 2 Thessalonians 2:13
Then he adds this interesting comment about the word of God in their lives
Which is indeed at work in you who believe.
Paul says, the word of God, which these Thessalonians received, was at work in their lives. In order to understand what the Apostle means by this statement, we need to know a few things about God’s word. Here are a few verses that will help us.
God’s word is powerful
For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.Hebrews 4:12
God’s word is able to do many things to build us spiritually
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
God’s word has a purpose to accomplish in our lives
As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. Isaiah 55:10-11
This is what God can do with his word in our lives
Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth. John 17:17
No wonder these Thessalonian Christians became a model for all believers in their region and beyond. God’s word produced in them what we have seen in the preceding passages.
APPLICATION:
1. Is God’s word at work in your life today?
a. If so, how do you know that it is at work in you?
b. What is God’s word doing in your life today?
2. But God’s word cannot work in your life if you do not have God’s word in you. Therefore, a more relevant question is this; do you have God’s word in you? The only way to have God’s word in your life is by reading it, memorizing, studying, meditating on it and of course listening as it is taught. Have you been reading God’s word?
3. If you already have God’s word in your life, then, the question is this; are you responding to God’s word?
4. Remember the conviction of the Holy Spirit we learned about? The Holy Spirit uses God’s word, which is already in you to bring relevant conviction, related to what God’s word says. It can be towards repentance, warning to run away from sin, or to guide us in doing God’s will.
5. So what is God’s word doing in your life today? What kind of conviction is the Holy Spirit convicting you to do?
For the word of God is alive and active.
Sharper than any double-edged sword,
It penetrates even to dividing soul
And spirit, joints and marrow;
It judges the thoughts
And attitudes of
The heart.
Hebrews 4:12
So
Is The Word Of God At Work In You?
Pastor Shadrack RutO
Source-desiringgod.org
