“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“
but as it is in truth, the word of God,
The word “but” is a word of strong contrast. The Bible is God’s Word, not man’s word. It is “in truth, the word of God.” God’s Word is true, true to facts, true to what actually is.
The Thessalonians clearly identified the message of the gospel team as the Word of God. Truth does not lean on the authority of men but the authority of God. We must receive and regard the Word as divine revelation.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3: 16-17).
Principle:
Christians who take the Bible as God’s living Word and apply its truth to their life will experience dramatic growth.
Application:
Christians cannot live the Christian life as it ought to be lived without understanding the Word of God as God’s message to them. This perspective paves the way for applying the principles of God’s Word to their own experience.
If we have no Bible, all that remains is the mere dead words of men. Since man is finite, his ideas are finite. They continually shift with the winds of change and trends. It all ends with one opinion against another opinion. God’s Word is eternal, and His principles remain eternally true. That’s why we must study the Bible seriously.
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15).
Christians who have a high view of Scripture and believe that the Bible can change their life will grow powerfully in the Christian life.
