“For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe” (1 Thessalonians 2:13).
If God wanted to show the reality of His existence, there are many options at His disposal. For instance, God could manifest His presence in an undeniable way, one that would be impossible for anyone to dismiss. Since God has declined to reveal His existence in this manner (with good reason), we are sometimes left with this question: “If God really exists then why don’t we see Him?”
The New Testament book of Hebrews provides us with one answer to that question for it tells us, “…without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6 NIV). If faith is necessary to please God, then we should not be surprised if God places us in a position to exercise it. This may help to explain why we do not see a more obvious manifestation of God’s presence, at least for now. (1)
With this in mind, let’s consider another means of verifying the reality of God’s existence using the Thessalonian Christians as an example. There was a cause and effect relationship involved in the Thessalonians’ decision to turn “…to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). That cause was given to us earlier in 1 Thessalonians 1:5: “…our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit…”
So the catalyst for change in the lives of the Thessalonians was the “…the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.” Notice that this work took place in the lives of the Thessalonians. This does not imply a simple change of outward behavior but a transformation of the heart that governed their conduct. The same is true of those who are transformed by the work of the Holy Spirit through the written Word of God today.
The book of Hebrews also tells us, “…the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (4:12). In light of this, we can say that the transformative power of God’s Word points to the living and powerful existence of its Author.
(1) This is not to say that God has neglected to provide us with a witness to His existence- see Romans 1:18-32.