Paul and his
companions labored among the Thessalonians to support themselves as
an example of how much they cared for them. They desired that the
Thessalonians “would walk worthy of God, who has called”
them “unto his kingdom and glory”, and
in chapter two and verse thirteen of his letter to them, Paul
tells the Thessalonians he thanks “God without ceasing”
for the way they heard the word of God. We read:
For this
cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received
the word of God which you heard of us, you received it
not as the word of
men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works
also in you that believe.
The
verse begins, “For this cause also thank we God without
ceasing,...” Paul began with
the words, “For this”
which means “the one present here” “cause”
or “channel of an act and account or reason something is done”
“also thank we God”
or “even and indeed are grateful and thankful to the Godhead bodily
and trinity consisting of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy
Spirit” “without ceasing”
which means “without intermission or omission, incessantly
and uninterruptedly”. In other
words, Paul and his companions were constantly thanking God for that
which he is about to share.
The
verse goes on to say, “...because, when you
received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it
not as the
word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God,...” Paul
went on to give the reason he thanked “God
without ceasing” as he wrote, “because”
which means “since and on account of” “when
you received” or “took, joined,
associated and accepted” “the word of God”
which is “the speech and utterance which embodies a conception,
idea doctrine or teaching” “which you
heard of us” or “took audience to,
received and heard from Paul and his team” “you
received” which means “to take with the
hand, hold, take up, sustain, bear, endure and get” “it
not as the word of men” or “speech or
utterance of human beings” “but as it is
in truth” which means “or in reality,
most certainly and indeed” “the word of
God” or “speech and utterance of God the
Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”. Paul and the men with
him shared the “good news” of Jesus Christ with the Thessalonians
in such a way they received their words as though it was coming
straight from God Himself.
Finally
the verse says, “...which effectually works also in you that
believe.” Paul completed this thought with the words, “which
effectually works” or “is operative, at work and putting
forth power which displays one's activities” “also in you that
believe” or “in the ones who think, are persuaded of, give
credit to and place confidence in the fact that the gospel of Jesus
Christ is true, reliable and worthy of trust”. The effect of Paul
and his companions sharing the gospel with the Thessalonians was that
it was operative and at work in those who believed it.
When
we think about Paul's words, we should ask ourselves whether people
hear us or the Heavenly Father when we speak. Do we share in such a
way that it glorifies God rather than us when we tell others about
Jesus? Paul and his men loved the people of Thessalonica and prayed
incessantly for them, and their care for the Thessalonians was
demonstrated by their passionate sharing of the “good news” of
Jesus. Perhaps our lesson should be applied in such a way that others
will know they have met with God when we speak, and rather than
boosting our own glory, let us be as Paul who shared the gospel of
Jesus Christ in a manner that others responded by giving all the
glory to God where it is deserved. Then, let us pray without ceasing
for the ones who have heard our words and received them as though
they were from the Lord.
Next
time Paul writes concerning the Thessalonians being “followers
of the churches of God”, so
read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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