¹³For 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 men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.

Always mindful, fully committed, ever aware that he carried the authority of a prophet, Paul’s great desire was for his listeners to understand that he spoke “the word of God.” The Thessalonian believers understood this and experienced the effects of the Word of God in their lives (see 1 Thess. 1:5). This was no ordinary rhetoric; it wasn’t fancy, smooth words that captured their attention. It was the God-evident power of the grace-infused message.

The writer of Hebrews says this:

For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. (Heb. 4:12)

This is why Paul so adamantly taught his protégé, Timothy:

I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. (2 Tim. 4:1–2)

Peter counsels those who preach:

Whoever speaks, is to do so as one who is speaking the utterances of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies … (1 Peter 4:11)

Now, what do we do with all those who claim to have their lives changed through preachers of false doctrine, and therefore not teachings from God? Just look at the conformity many embrace when joining cults of various kinds. However, those changes are not of the soul; they are better described as outwardly mimicking others in the flesh. They have not become new creatures in Christ, authentically changed. Paul continually warns against false teachers (see e.g. Acts 20:28) because nothing but the true Word brings the real faith, love, and hope the Thessalonians experienced and exhibited. So while Paul was always concerned about false teaching, he was joyful and grateful when people received the Word because of its power in their lives.

Lord, I resolve to being more committed to knowing and living out Your Word.