Faith and Hearing

Scripture Reference: Matthew 13:1

FAITH AND HEARING Faith in God is not merely believing that there is a God. Even the demons do that. Faith in God is not a fixed belief in certain truths or religious statements. Faith in God is a genuine response of the heart, mind and soul, to the presence of the One true God - in our lives. To know, to trust and to obey Jesus - the Messiah - risen from death, is to have faith. To know him, is also to know the Father. Only the inward work of the Holy Spirit can impart to a person the gift of faith. And only the Holy Spirit can sustain and renew that faith. But how does this happen? It is a mystery of the kingdom of heaven. But it does happen. And it comes by hearing - hearing Jesus Christ himself speaking or preaching to us (Romans 10:17). Hearing is the key to faith. The personal message of Jesus himself, spoken intimately, or secretly to each one of us, is always an amazing event. This can and should occur each time we listen to Scripture, and at other times - like now! Whether Scripture is read or expounded, we should hear, or be expectant to hear Christ. Amazing isnąt it? Amazing that we should hear him! That is why attending worship, or bible study should never be boring for a person with faith. Sadly, Christians sometimes find ŚChurchą boring. This must occur because the Holy Christ is not present and talking to us! Or else He is present, but we are deaf to him. Jesus said of those who did not receive his word, that their Śheart has grown dull, and their ears are hard of hearingą. Could this happen to us? The answer must be Śyesą! If Israel was deaf to Isaiah, and if many in the early Church turned to a different message, then we must be prone to do the same. When first coming to know the joy of living by Christąs personal word, we quickly recognise that not to be hearing Christ, is the way of death. In the best sense then, we should be fearful of becoming dull to his Voice. Take heed how you hear. If we are not prepared to follow under Christąs Lordship, we will find that we soon become dull to his voice. Jesus solemnly warns us that even the things we thought we had, will be taken away (Luke 8:18). This thought should trouble us sufficiently, to drive us to listen carefully to His Word. All sorts of factors in life (shallowness, troubles, the cares of the world, the lure of wealth) can prevent us from hearing God. The fruitfulness of each life varies, but it always flows out of a good hearing of the Word of Christ. In one case a hundredfold, in another sixty, and in another thirty (see Matt. 13:23) . Let anyone with ears to hear, listen! May the Lord open our ears to hear his Word, and our mouths to proclaim his praise. TREVOR
Author: Rev. Trevor R. Faggotter

Part of Devotional Series: Hearing Christ

For information about this devotion contact: trevrev@iweb.net.au

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