Effective Work of the 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."

1 Thessalonians 2:13

The believers at Thessalonica welcomed the scriptures as the true word of God, and for this Paul was thankful to God.  God's word ingrafted into their souls not only provided good fruit unto eternal life, but like the hands of a potter working clay it shaped their lives on earth.  Man's words should be taken "with a grain of salt," as believing listeners weigh words carefully, separating the chaff from the wheat using righteous judgment.  God's word, however, is pure, perfect, unchanging, and enduring.  As good seed germinates and sends tender shoots through the soil, so God's word "effectively works in you who believe."

Because of the strong stance of Christians of a literal interpretation of the Bible, some have wrongly accused such of making the Bible the third person of the Trinity and thus devaluing the position and role of the Holy Spirit.  A study of scripture reveals there is an important relationship between the word of God and the Holy Spirit.  The word of God is compared to seed sown in the hearts of men, and the Holy Spirit is the Living Water which regenerates and indwells Christians, empowering them to live lives according to scripture.  Rain without good seed cannot bear good fruit, and good seed without any water cannot grow either.  The word of God works and the Holy Spirit does too.  Jesus Christ is spoken of in John 1:14:  "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth."  The Bible is not the third part of the Trinity, but it is an indispensable revelation of God used by Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

People say there is a devaluing of God's word today, but this is certainly nothing new.  The fact Paul rejoiced and praised God at the reception of God's word and the effective working of it in the believers as Thessalonica suggests this was not the case everywhere.  The point then becomes, in what way do you receive the Bible?  Do you read it thinking it has been corrupted by men and it is therefore subject to your arbitrary judgment?  Are you reliant upon commentaries, books, or sermons to form your interpretations and personal application?  Do you allow the naked scripture to challenge previously held positions and change your mind?  Like the Thessalonians do you welcome the scripture into your heart and mind as the word of God in truth?  If it is true, then we have an responsibility and duty to heed it ourselves.  The process of becoming more like Jesus isn't immediate, but requires obedience and faith in the word of God only possible through the power of the Holy Spirit.  If the word works effectively in you, God will work through you too.  Thanks and all glory to God for this truth!