So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17 KJV
One of the senses that God has given to human beings is that of hearing. The physical, outer ears we see are the receptacles for the inner ear and its components which aid the process of hearing. This sense is so special that it can be trained to pick up sounds that some other people cannot perceive, and that is why we sometimes say that some people hear, while others listen. There is a place for the usage of the physical ears, and there is also a place for the usage of the inner ear. God would have me understand the place, use and limits of each part, and how the question of eternity can be fully answered.
We spoke about faith yesterday and its value to my walk with both God and men. How does faith then come, and how is it developed? Is there anything I can do of my own accord that will help my faith, or is it all about God alone? Today's extract seems to place a responsibility on me, and that is the duty to hear. If I do not place myself where I can hear God's word, it will be difficult for faith to be birthed in me. If I fill my heart with junk and dirt and pollution, how can I expect that when I want to make a demand, my heart will produce clean air? You can only draw out of an account from which you have put something in, or from an account that you have agreed to pay back whatever it is you take on credit. What am I then spending my time building up in my life account?
And it is very important that I sort out what and how I hear. Today's extract says faith comes by hearing and the hearing must be by the Word of God. If it is not the word of God, it cannot produce the kind of faith referred to in today's extract. Faith is that ingredient that pleases God, because it tells God that I believe he is, and that he is able to come through for me. I am telling God that I know I am safe with him, and that as long as I keep his word as my sole focus, I will always get the favour of God over all I do. That is what faith gives and does.
It is also hearing that leads to fear, just as it is also hearing that leads to faith. Faith and fear take hold in a man's heart based on the things he listens to and hears. God's Word produces faith, because it reminds me of who God is and what he can do. Man's words produce fear because self - confidence and pride are the things man's words can produce, and these can never lead to the faith that pleases God. I must therefore be careful what and how I hear, because it is what I hear that defines the fruit of my life, which will then decide the eternal end of my life. God's word must be my sole focus, if my life must be focused. I can't listen to the empty threats of men, who cannot guarantee their own tomorrow, but I must keep God as the only one to listen to, so that my life can be all that God formed and planted it to be. His time of favour is here.
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