By Spencer Clark
You may have heard of the Berean Jews who were “more noble than those in Thessalonica” because they “received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so” (Acts 17:11). The Jews in Thessalonica were especially malicious, following Paul to Berea and running him off (Acts 17:13).
While not everyone in Thessalonica believed, those who did believe were also quite admirable. Paul writes that when they heard the word from Paul, they “accepted it not as the word of men but as what it really is, the word of God.” Because of that, the Word of God was at work in them as believers.
This raises two important questions for reflection: (1) what is the Bible really? Do you really believe that the words of Scripture (either written or spoken) were breathed out by God or do you believe that they are a production of men that are, at best, a clever and wise creation and at worst, intended to deceive? What we truly think on this matter can be quickly ascertained by the way we live our life. Is there fruit of our faith in God’s word? If we really believe it, others will see it. If others can’t see it, do we really believe it?
The second question is this: is the Word of God at work in your life? Hebrews says that the “word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and spirit, of joints and marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart” (Heb 4:12). One of the ways that the Word works in us is by weighing our hearts. It forces us to look at ourselves and consider whether we have been living a righteous and obedient life in God. But not only that, the Word should produce obedience, remorse for sin, and the fruits of the Spirit. If there is no change in ourselves, are we really allowing the Word to work on our hearts?
So, what really is the Bible for you? Is it a nice book to read here and there to pick up some useful things? Is it something you hear once a week in church and go about your life otherwise? Or is it a life-changing, divinely inspired Word that pierces into our very being and brings about permanent change that leads to salvation? I hope that for your case, it is the latter so that you may be like the Thessalonians who benefited from the working of the Word.