"The Word of GOD!"

Acts 10:10-13              (KJV)
"10 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.
11 These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
12 Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few.
13 But when the Jews of Thessalonica had knowledge that the word of God was preached of Paul at Berea, they came thither also, and stirred up the people."


Have you ever been in a situation where you disagree with someone you respect greatly?  They may have a different view politically, or maybe socially, and you (or they) take a stand based on principle.  I have even seen pastors leave churches over something that, in hindsigh,t seemed so ridiculous!

The church at Berea was "more noble" than those in Thessalonica.  One translation says they were "OPEN-MINDED" and took what was preached to them, verified it with scripture, and let the scripture determine if what they heard was beneficial to them.  When you trust that scripture is "The Word of GOD" and not just some book of literature written by some mortal men through the ages, it changes how you see everything.  They applied what "The Word of GOD" spoke to them about and let their lives be changed.

My life needs to be changed, not by public opinion or what is deemed popular, but what "The Word of GOD" directs me to do.  GOD will always direct us to do that which is congruent with HIS Word.  Lining our lives up with "The Word of GOD" will not cause our lives to have necessarily less trouble, but we will be better equipped to handle the difficulties if we learn to trust in HIM, rather than figuring things out on our own.

The Jews from Thessalonica heard that "The Word of GOD" was being preached, so they came to stir up the people!  The Jews did not want the Bereans changing their lives to follow scripture. The Jews were interested in the people following what they decided was the right way.  The Jews from Thessalonica wanted everyone to see things their way.

GOD made every one of us to think differently.  We have different beliefs and convictions that we will have to answer to HIM for.  The path I am led down may be different than the path you are led down.  The thing all of us must do, like the Bereans, is to receive "The Word of GOD" with all readiness of mind and let our lives be changed by that Word.  Don't let the Jews from Thessalonica influence the way you live!  But let "The Word of GOD" mold you into HIS plan for your life!!!