July 10
“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. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God which are in Judea in Christ Jesus. For you also suffered the same things from your own countrymen, just as they did from the Judeans, who killed both the Lord Jesus and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they do not please God and are contrary to all men, forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved, so as always to fill up the measure of their sins; but wrath has come upon them to the uttermost,” 1 Thessalonians 2:13-16.
The apostle Paul had many reasons to thank God, as he mentions in the opening verses of this Epistle to the Thessalonians. Now he mentions a very special reason to thank God: “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.”
When the apostle Paul came to Thessalonica, he came for the express purpose of preaching the Word of the Gospel to them. In particular, he had the Gentiles in mind – the non-Jews and non-Christians. Paul and the other apostles had come to preach the Word, which was of divine origin. It was not something that they had thought up or dreamed up! Now they rejoiced and thanked God without ceasing that the Thessalonians received and believed the Word, “As it is in truth, the Word of God.”
The Word of God works effectively in those who believe. The Thessalonians did not hear the Word only with their ears, but they believed in their hearts that God was the Author of what the apostles were teaching and preaching.
Today, when we teach and preach what is written in the Scriptures, we want people to receive and believe what we teach as being the Word of God in all its truth and purity. Our personal opinions are not the foundation upon which anyone’s faith should rest. We preach Christ crucified and risen. Our Christian faith is, “Built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the Chief Cornerstone,” Ephesians 2:20.
The Thessalonians had to suffer persecution just as Christians in other places had to suffer. They had to remember that just as Jesus was rejected and crucified, so also His followers could expect the same. The situation is the same today. An anti-Christian movement is increasing throughout the world.
Those who were exceedingly troubling to the apostles were those who were forbidding them, “To speak to the Gentiles that they may be saved.” We might ask, “Why don’t the enemies of the Christian Church just go their way and find something else to do?” But, NO, like the devil himself, whom they are serving, they won’t give up in their efforts to silence the voice of the Gospel! As Paul writes, “They do not please God,” and the wrath of God will come upon them!
What should we do? Like the apostles, let us stand up, speak up, and proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, our only Lord and the only Savior for sinners!
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus, Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master, Leads against the Foe;
Forward into battle, See His banners go!
Onward, Christian soldiers, Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus, Going on before. Amen.