“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.”
(1st Thessalonians 2:13)

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God works by and through His Word to the salvation of sinners (Psalm 19:7-8). When the gospel comes to the heart of the sinner through the Almighty hand of God it will effectually accomplish His sovereign purpose in our soul (Isaiah 55:11; 1st Thessalonians 1:5). The Word effectually works to this end and purpose. Notice these things given to us from the scriptures!

1) Quickening of dead sinners to life in Christ Jesus.

“Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” (James 1:18)

2) Enlightening of the darkened and depraved mind.

“For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2nd Corinthians 4:6)

3) Softening of hard hearts.

“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.” (Ezekiel 36:26)

4) Granting and giving faith.

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17)

5) Delivering from the bondage of sin.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (John 8:32; Galatians 5:1)

6) Establishing the believer in time of trial.

“Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations: that the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” (1st Peter 1:6-7; Romans 8:28)

7) Comforting of the heart of the believer.

“Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD’S hand double for all her sins.” (Isaiah 40:1-2)

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T. Harding