Let the Word of God Have Free Course

Be Strong, Be Well — Sunday, July 12

This verse is quoted often enough, we probably remember it well. Acts 17:11 says, “These were more fair-minded (“noble” KJV, ESV) than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

Paul was being hunted down from one town to another by  unbelieving Jews who wanted him dead. But among those in Thessalonica who were willing to listen to his message, he had some success. He later wrote two very touching and encouraging letters to these brethren.

But when he got to the next town of Berea, Luke recorded this great compliment. "Now these were more noble than those in Thessalonica..." This means they demonstrated “an exalted moral or mental character or excellence" (Dictionary.com).

Because of their moral character they were honest in their treatment of God’s word preached by Paul. They wanted to know if the message was true, so they put it to the test by studying. “They received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”

We can be just like these noble and honest people when we treat God’s word as truth which has authority over us. When we find something in scripture that goes against our current belief and understanding, in our moral character we will adjust our thinking with all readiness, to reflect God’s will and not our own.

It takes great courage to let the Word of God have free course in our lives. Family and friends may not understand. They may even fight against us in the decisions we make. It can be very emotional and very sad, but if we want to be pleasing to God, the only judge that truly matters, then we will maintain our noble, fair-minded character and examine the Scriptures daily, always making sure those things are so. —Chris