A Word from God's Word

“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.”

I Thessalonians 2:13

THE APOSTLE PAUL, along with his co-labourer, Silas, was the one who brought the gospel message to the Greek city of Thessalonica. In Acts 17:2b-3, we read that Paul “reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ.’ ” Notice that Paul’s gospel preaching included both Christ’s suffering on the cross and His resurrection from the dead, for that is the gospel, the good news. The result of this faithful gospel preaching was the birth of the church in Thessalonica.

And as Paul later writes the letter back to these Thessalonian believers in I Thessalonians 2:13, he rejoices in the manner that they received Paul’s preaching. They “welcomed” these words “not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God”.

I urge you likewise to take up the Scriptures and read, and to do so, recognizing that the words you are reading are not fallible human words, but rather the very words of God. And if so, then they are authoritative words. And finally, if they are authoritative words, then we must obey. Respond to the authoritative gospel call to turn to Christ in repentance and faith, trusting in Him alone for salvation.

Pastor Craig publishes  "A Word from God's Word" weekly in the "Kootenay News Advertiser".