REV. EKOW ESHUN
TOPIC : RESPOND TO THE WORD
SCRIPTURE: I THESSALONIANS 2:13 (KJV) ”For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe”
One of the lies that Satan has managed to get many people to believe is that once God says something, God himself will bring it to pass because God is so powerful and needs nobody to fulfill his Word. Because of this erroneous mentality, a good number of believers after receiving a word from God whether through a sermon or prophecy, literally “go to sleep”, and get lazy and keep hoping in vain saying, “God will do it,” “God will do it.”
Sad to say, many of such people will get disappointed. The reason is simple: as much as God’s Word is powerful on its own, once it is given to you personally, your faith, your choices, attitude and response in particular are important ingredients to help bring the Word to pass. You must walk with God and work with God, walk the Word, and work out the Word!
We must remember this: failure to respond to the Word properly, especially in faith, means that we will definitely not benefit from the Word we hear. Why is this so? Because the Word spoken to us or directly applicable to our situation does not work without our cooperation, attitude or action. Hebrews 4:2 teaches us that, ”For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” (KJV)
Clearly, without mixing the Word we hear with faith, the Word will not profit us. This is where our cooperation and response to the Word become very important. This is what the Apostle Paul commended the church in Thessalonica for. He actually was thanking God regularly for this active attitude of these believers. Every sincere and well-meaning pastor would love for his congregation to be like this. These believers were remembered and commended for their positive attitude and response to the Word they received from Apostle Paul. Clearly, it was a response of faith.
Their actions showed that they valued the Word, and believed the Word they had heard. One key thing to remember here is that, until we cultivate this “faith” attitude and grow in it, we will not be able to maximise the efficacy of God’s Word no matter how powerful and life-changing it may be.
Praise God for these believers! These are the kind of christians that keep making progress. Infact, this is the kind of life our Father wants us to live and demonstrate. Our co-operation with God and response to His Word makes a lot of difference in our life’s success or failure. We must all learn to receive the Word and work with the Word even in difficult times. Don’t be deceived; by faith, you must cooperate and work with God. Respond to His Word!
PRAYER
I bless you, dear Father, that my understanding of my walk with you is getting better by the day. I recognise the role I need to play for me to see your Word fully manifest in my life. I therefore take responsibility for my life of faith and patience on daily basis. Thank you for your faithfulness in Jesus’s name, Amen.
FURTHER READING (NJKV) HEBREWS 10:35-39
[35]Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. [36]For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: [37]“For yet a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. [38]Now the just shall live by faith; But if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” [39]But we are not of those who draw back to perdition, but of those who believe to the saving of the soul.”
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