We are a created being with emotions, reasoning, and self-serving will. Sometimes these attributes serve us well and sometimes they are a detriment to us. At times we are our own worst enemy. In I Thessalonians 2:13, Paul continues his thankfulness to the church at Thessalonica. When he began the letter to them his first acknowledgment of them was a prayer of thanksgiving. He remembered the labor of love, their work of faith, their patience, and hope in God. Now in verse 13, he is thanking them and commending them for their response to the word of God.
I Thessalonians 1:2-3 “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labor of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;”
There are several ways that we can, and they could have, received the Word of God. When you read the Bible, listen to a preacher or teacher, or when the Holy Spirit brings it to your memory, you always have a response.
First, you can listen intently and determine that what the preacher or teacher is saying doesn’t apply to you. This is what I call the pitchfork syndrome. You hear it and with your imaginary pitchfork, you toss it over your shoulder to the next person. You may even think, “I hope they are listening.” You have made up your mind that your circumstances are different, and God understands. You have missed the truth by ignoring it.
Second, you can feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit and know that it applies to you, but you don’t yield. Instead, you get angry thinking the preacher is talking to you. He knows your circumstances and he’s calling you out from the pulpit! Your stubbornness determines you will not make an application to your life, and when it’s over you will leave and not return. You may dig your heels in and become bitter, and use the “after all, nobody’s perfect syndrome.” This response will keep you from yielding to the nudging of the Holy Spirit and stunt your growth as a Christian. It may lead to comparing yourself to others to justify your actions. It will ultimately lead you away from God. This kind of Christian is dangerous because they have begun the process of deceiving themselves. They are now picking and choosing what parts of the Bible they will yield to. They convince themselves they can interpret the Bible to accommodate their desires. At this point, they are their own god.
The third response is what Paul found in the church at Thessalonica. In verse 13, they have received the word of God, not as the word of men, but they believe the word to be truth from God. When the word of God is received as truth from God, it is powerful. We allow it to change our hearts and our lives. We learn what God expects from us and we are able to please Him. We draw closer to Him and thrive in His presence. We not only become a joyful, satisfied Christian, but we also become powerful influences for Him. When persecution comes, we have hope within us to persevere, we push forward for Christ because of our love for Him and the promise He has given us of eternal life with Him. In verse 14, Paul reminds them that they are not the only ones who have suffered persecution at the hand of the Jews, but other followers of Jesus had been treated the same way. Paul seeks to comfort and encourage them to continue in their faith. This response was one Paul could be pleased with because this response receives God as Lord of their lives, and they are not just willing to follow His commands but are eager to please Him.
I Thessalonians 2:13-14 “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. For ye, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for ye also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:”
What is your response when the word is taught or preached, and it is contrary to the way you live or think? Does your heart melt at the thought of displeasing your God? Are you eager to hear more and search out the scriptures yourself? It’s very easy to ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit by directing your attention onto other things, but ultimately when we do, we are saying no to God. It’s your choice you can ignore the word, reject, and get angry, or yield in sweet submission. Only you can decide for yourself. Right now, examine your heart and see where you stand in your responses.
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