It really is the word of God

1 Thessalonians 2:9-3:13 from the daily reading in the One Year Bible

For you recall, brothers and sisters, our labor and hardship: it was by working night and day so as not to be a burden to any of you, that we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. ¹⁰ You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly and rightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers; ¹¹ just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, ¹² so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

¹³ For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe. ¹⁴ For you, brothers and sisters, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, ¹⁵ who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all people, ¹⁶ hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always reach the limit of their sins. But wrath has come upon them fully.

¹⁷ But we, brothers and sisters, having been orphaned from you by absence for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. ¹⁸ For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and Satan hindered us. ¹⁹ For who is our hope, or joy or crown of pride, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Or is it not indeed you? ²⁰ For you are our glory and joy.

3 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it best to be left behind, alone at Athens, ² and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you for the benefit of your faith, ³ so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. ⁴ For even when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it happened, as you know. ⁵ For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter might have tempted you, and our labor would be for nothing.

⁶ But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, ⁷ for this reason, brothers and sisters, in all our distress and affliction we were comforted about you through your faith; ⁸ for now we really live, if you stand firm in the Lord. ⁹ For what thanks can we give to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice because of you before our God, ¹⁰ as we keep praying most earnestly night and day that we may see your faces, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?

¹¹ Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you; ¹² and may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you; ¹³ so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints.

Today’s text says: We were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God, which also is at work in you who believe.  It is vital that we too accept the word of God not as the word of mere men, but as what it really is, the word of God. Some will discredit the Bible saying it was written by men. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says: All Scripture is inspired by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work. While it may have been written by the hands of men, all scripture is inspired by God. Those who accept it as what it is, are equipped for every good work, as it works in them.

For those who dispute or reject it, the word of God is of no benefit to them. That does not mean though that they can negate the truth of God’s word. 1 Corinthians 1:18 says: The word of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Those who reject the word of God as foolishness, are still perishing according to the truth of God’s word. Romans 6:23 says: The wages of sin is death, but the gracious gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. To receive the gift of eternal life, a person must believe. Hebrews 11:6 says: Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him. The person who rejects God’s word, rejects God. Without believing in Him, a person cannot be saved by Him. Again though, it does not mean that because they do not believe in God, that they are not still subject to Him. God is God whether we acknowledge Him or not. His word is truth, whether we believe it or not. Jesus is the King of kings and the Lord of lords, whether we acknowledge it or not. God’s word in Philippians 2:10-11 says: At the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 22:12-21 says: “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to reward each one as his work deserves. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they will have the right to the tree of life, and may enter the city by the gates. Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral persons, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying. “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you of these things for the churches. I am the root and the descendant of David, the bright morning star.”The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost… He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.”  Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.