“…we also thank God…because when you 1RECEIVED 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 2EFFECTIVELY WORKS IN YOU who believe.” (1 Thess. 2:13) 1paralambanō: to take into the mind. 2energeō: put forth power. Now, we must remember they did not have bibles. So, how did they obtain the word? It would be preached to them by people like Paul, who preached to those at Thessalonica. They would get the freshly anointed word, write it down, memorize it and share it with others. Notice, Paul tells them how the Word of God POWERFULLY works in us!!!
We know this because, “…the word of God is living and POWERFUL, and sharper than any two-edged sword…” (Heb. 4:12)
Today there are about 4 bibles in every home but less than a quarter of those who have ever read a Bible have some kind of plan for reading the scriptures each day. A third of Americans NEVER PICK IT UP ON THEIR OWN, according to a new study from Nashville-based LifeWay Research. So, we who believe and practice the Word of God have the challenge of taking the Word to a world that is PRETTY MUCH WITHOUT IT.
“For everything that was written in the past was written TO TEACH US, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide WE MIGHT HAVE HOPE.” (Rom. 15:4)
-Bill Stockham