THE POWER OF PROPER PERSPECTIVE
1 THESSALONIANS 2:13
1 THESSALONIANS 2:13 NKJ
13 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.
This verse is so powerful. It reveals what happened in the church of Thessalonica and why they were so effective. Paul said their faith in God was an example to the whole region.
The key to their strong faith was in their perspective. They heard Paul preach and teach the gospel. And they received his words. But it's how they received his words. They welcomed Paul's words not as the words of men but what they actually were, the word of God.
This made such a difference. Whenever people received the word preached as the word of God, big things happened. People were saved, turned from worshipping idols to God. People were healed and delivered. Paul told the church in Thessalonica that God's word worked effectively in those who believe it. This is in agreement with what Paul wrote the church in Rome. He stated that he was not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. That the gospel was the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes. (Romans 1:1)
So, when people heard the gospel, if their perspective was - this is God's word; it made a difference. It worked effectively in their lives. The words "effectively worked" come from the Greek word ergeo' where we get the word energy or energized. These believers embraced Paul's message as God's word, and it was doing a powerful work in them. When God energizes us, we are never the same.
APPLICATION:
God's word is spiritual and eternal. It has not lost its energy and power. When we embrace His word as valuable, as the word of God Himself, as highest authority, then His word works in us. It can regenerate our spirits, bring peace to our minds and emotions and heal our bodies. The more we welcome and embrace and believe, the more God's word works in us.
So let the power of a proper perspective work for you. The next time you sit down to read/hear God's word say: This is God's living word to me. His word is working in me, changing and transforming my life. God's word is energizing me.
Our perspective makes all the difference.