Our Words

11.28.11

1 Thessalonians 2.13 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. NIV

There is the human word, the way we speak and the way we look at the creation around us and then there is the word of God as revealed to mankind in the Scriptures shaping our worldview and showing us the proper order of things. Paul said the Thessalonians accepted the word of God from them for what it actually was: the word of God at work in them.

Paul’s words, in those days, were words of explanation of the Scriptures (the Old Testament), and his own commentary of life as guided by his relationship with God; and God’s expression of Himself through the Old Testament. Paul spoke for God. Paul spoke so that others would know God and then walk in relationship with Him. What we have today is Paul’s words having been made Scripture.

Now, the interesting part is what happens when someone comes to the place where they believe God; whose words are those? It will be, more than likely, a combination of God’s words (the Bible), and our words (in testimony) and the truth (in its effect on the heart of the listener.) Paul himself said, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Romans 10.14-15 NIV) Whose words now?

It is still a process of the use of God’s words (the Bible), my words (of testimony) and the truth (my personal revelation of God). At some point Paul was recognized as a spokesman for God but he wasn’t trying to corner the market – he recognized there were others out there sharing God’s word, their testimony, and the Gospel truth. To the one who believes, there is not a lot of distinction; it boils down to their understanding and accepting the reality of God through the Holy Spirit empowerment to understand and accept the truth.

Now, I know there are some who will read these words of mine and might cry heresy. I am not a heretic. I am trying to understand how God’s words can become my words and the sharing of those words can have an effect on someone who will accept them for what they really are: God sharing His heart with them. I’ll just say this: God somehow uses our words about His words to cause salvation to come to the heart of another person. I call that the truth. I can’t explain it, I can’t describe it; all I know is that it works. And somehow that is how God operates: using our words about His words to help someone in darkness and death come into light and life.

So like Paul, we speak and we use the resources we have to communicate truth to those who are caught up in error that they may be freed to use their words to tell others about God’s words that those others may be free to tell others… and on and on it goes until all the talking is done and God gets all the glory!