Saturday 15th February
Read 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 a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe.” (NIVUK)
A verse to meditate on indeed. Prolonged reflection on Paul’s words here must inevitably lead to reflection on the nature of God’s word.
Paul is referring, in the first instance, to the good news he and Silas brought to the Thessalonians. They stood in the synagogue and proclaimed that Jesus was the Messiah and that salvation was to be found in Him. Those who heard their gospel and believed, recognised in their words God’s word, and responded with faith. Paul is immensely thankful that they heard both voices – Paul’s and God’s. He knows this because their actions reflect their faith.
Yet today, as we reflect on these words from Paul to them, written and preserved through nearly two thousand years, we equally acknowledge that this expression of his thankfulness for their faith and work are also God’s words. Not simply to them, but to us also.
Many Christians believe that the ‘scripture’ is sacrosanct in and of itself. They believe that the Holy Spirit inspired these words in an almost dictatorial style (ie dictation) so that we can and must recognise and obey God’s voice behind these words.
What sense of ‘scripture’ do you get from Paul’s words here to the Thessalonian believers? Is the ‘word of God’ lost for us because we are no longer able to hear what Paul and Silas said in that synagogue all those years ago? How important is the community of believers in determining whether God’s word lies behind Paul’s words?
A verse to meditate on indeed…
