Words Without Effect

1 Thessalonians 2:13

Have you ever noticed that at certain times the Gospel has been preached to no avail? There is nothing missing in the message itself; it is always in man’s side of things we must seek the reason. The Bible speaks of certain people who did not receive the love of the truth to be saved.

Incredulity keeps the Lord from being able to work. Jesus himself was confronted with this problem in some of his contemporaries. Listen to Jesus say to Thomas, “Do not doubt, but believe.”

Paul also, during his stay in Rome, preaching the Gospel of God, did not have only sympathizers. What is surprising in this text is the length of time: “From morning until night.” Despite the amount of time, certain of God’s words remained without effect.

The parable of the sower shows us that materialism and pleasure can suffocate more than one of God’s words. May we never let our happiness depend on our things, but on God alone!

Let us receive the word of God with faith, without reservation, and let us bless him for having left it with us.

—Dominique Rosay