majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of
him in 1 Thessalonians 2:13,
"And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word
of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of
men, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you
who believe."
Paul speaks of his thankfulness to God for the converts in
Thessalonica. As he talks about the reception of the gospel that took
place in that city, he makes this observation about the Thessalonian
believers: they accepted Paul's message, not as a message of men, but
a message from God himself. The invitation to God's kingdom was a
message they recognized as coming from God and not just Paul and his
team.
What I find fascinating about the way Paul puts it is that he makes
clear the Thessalonian believers considered Paul's words God's own
words. This is how I approach the writings of Paul - they are not the
writings of just a man, they are the words of the Creator of all there
is, God Almighty. And not just Paul's writings but all the writings
designated as inspired by God by being included in the library we call
our Bibles. Peter's viewpoint on how God inspired these writings is
found in 2 Peter 1:20-21, "Above all, you must understand that no
prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet's own interpretation.
For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke
from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit."
As I consider that what is in my Bible is from God himself, his
communication to me, I am just astonished that he has lowered himself
to communicate with me. Imagine! Communication from God!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share
your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd
love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
No comments:
Post a Comment