" It Is Truly GOD's WORD ! "

 

1st.Thessalonians 2:13 "For this cause also thank we GOD without ceasing, because, when ye received the WORD of GOD which ye heard of us, ye received IT not as the word of men, but as IT is in truth, the WORD of GOD, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

     GOD sanctifies HIS children and prepares them for service through HIS WORD. The end of this process will be the final sanctification, the "crown of rejoicing," which will be realized "at HIS coming" (1st.Thessalonians 2:19). The Written WORD was GOD's provision for the Thessalonians, and the same certainly holds true for us as well: This WORD "effectually worketh also in you that believe" (v.13b). The Bible is living and life-giving; IT is both the seed that regenerates the sinner (1st.Peter 1:23 pictured above) as well as the instrument by which GOD's will is accomplished (Isaiah 55:8-11 pictured below; Hebrews 4:12). GOD's WORD is the foundation upon which we build our lives (2nd.Peter 1:15-21). Let us humbly and expectantly receive the WORD and allow IT to bring us to maturity in JESUS CHRIST.

     Those in the church of Thessalonica "received the WORD of GOD" (v.13) as from the LORD, not man. They recognized ITs sacred character and ITs absolute authority due to IT's divine AUTHOR. They received IT, that is, they earnestly heeded IT, not daring to treat ITs truth as a mere work of men. Unless we have a heartfelt conviction that every statement in the WORD of GOD is HIS WORD, then we cannot honestly say we have received the Bible "as IT is in truth, the WORD of GOD." The Bible is not just another book, as many unregenerate yet religious liberals claim; IT is the verbally inspired utterance of the ALMIGHTY. Those who reject the miraculous inspiration and providential preservation of the Holy Scriptures find that they must invent strange and untenable theories concerning the Bible; because the Scriptures contain GOD's testimony of what lies ahead for such unbelief, it is no surprise when these skeptics try to discredit HIS WORD. DWC

Your servant in CHRIST,

Julie