AUGUST 25

RECEIVING THE TRUTH

“But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to obtain salvation through the sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth. (2 Thess. 2:13)

Salvation, which is a process, will ultimately attain its fullness and perfection when “belief of the truth” and “sanctification of the Spirit” have fully worked their ministry in us. We read of Lydia, “whose heart the Lord opened, that she attended unto the things which were spoken of Paul.” (Acts 16:14). God initiated the action, He opened her heart, then there could come a responsive action on Lydia’s part. Jesus said, “Ye have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you.” Once we are awakened by His Spirit to His life, we can respond in RECEIVING and begin to live the life which He quickens within. All of our responsive action is secondary, the first, initial working are all His, by sovereign grace.

The Bereans “received the Word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” (Acts 17:11).

The Thessalonians “received the Word in much affliction (pressure), with joy of the holy Spirit.” (1 Thess. 1:6).

Blessed are those who can receive with readiness of mind, so that they do not search for an obscure inference against it, but they seek to earnestly see if it be so, and as it is confirmed to them, they are believing into it. Blessed also are those who, though the Word comes to them through pressure, yet undergirded with the joy of the Spirit, they are able to receive truth that it might work in them to their salvation.

“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.” (1 Thess. 2:13). Truth accepted as a “word of men” becomes another tradition and dogma, but received” as the word of God,” then He quickens it, and it becomes A WAY OF LIFE.

Ray Prinzing