20160121 Ears to Hear

Ears to Hear

Matthew 13:10-17  His disciples came and asked Him, "Why do You use parables when You talk to the people?"  (11)  He replied, "You are permitted to understand the secrets of the Kingdom of Heaven, but others are not.  (12)  To those who listen to My teaching, more understanding will be given, and they will have an abundance of knowledge. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they have will be taken away from them.  (13)  That is why I use these parables, For they look, but they don't really see. They hear, but they don't really listen or understand.  (14)  This fulfills the prophecy of Isaiah that says, 'When you hear what I say, you will not understand. When you see what I do, you will not comprehend.  (15)  For the hearts of these people are hardened, and their ears cannot hear, and they have closed their eyes—so their eyes cannot see, and their ears cannot hear, and their hearts cannot understand, and they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.'  (16)  "But blessed are your eyes, because they see; and your ears, because they hear.  (17)  I tell you the truth, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, but they didn't see it. And they longed to hear what you hear, but they didn't hear it.

In my last writing I pointed out the importance of listening, really hearing what is being said. This is especially important when the speaker is our Lord. But listening will produce action that proves what is said has indeed been heard. Listening and not acting is actually sin. James 4:17

Furthermore, it is foolish… Matthew 7:26-27

There is another problem that arises out of not following the teachings of our Master and Savior. Our ears become dull, our hearts become calloused, we get set on our own stubborn paths that lead to destruction. Stubbornness breeds more stubbornness. We get to the point that the words of Jesus become like the drone of a fan. We get used to it and don’t really hear anymore. Our eyes become blind to the truth and we begin to make up our own ideas about what is true and what is false. Jesus becomes just a good teacher with some good ideas instead of our Master who has and is The Truth, The Way and The Life. When all of that happens we can no longer discern truth. When we recognize our need to hear from God we cannot because we are spiritually deaf and blind.

So what can we do? If you have found yourself in this condition, even a little bit, repent now. If there is something the Lord has told you to do, but you have not done it, do it now. Start down the right path now before it is too late. Because there comes a point when, “they cannot turn to Me and let Me heal them.” Only our Father in heaven knows who has reached that point. Seek Him with all your heart now.

Father in heaven, this is frightening because I know my own heart. I know how easily I can choose my way instead of Yours. Please protect our hearts. Help us to truly follow You in all ways, always. Holy Spirit forgive us when we have grieved You by not listening to Your leading. Lord Jesus, we plead Your blood. That is our only plea. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

GODLY SORROW = REPENTANCE

GODLY SORROW = REPENTANCE

Matthew 5:4 God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

To “mourn” is to grieve. The Israelites mourned over the losses they had experienced through the years. The Temple at this time was a fraction of the size it was in Solomon’s day. It’s splendor had dwindled as well. The Israelites, though they had some religious freedom, were captive to the Roman government. This was another reason to grieve. But the biggest reason for them to grieve is the reason they and the Temple were in this condition. It was because of sin.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For the kind of sorrow God wants us to experience leads us away from sin and results in salvation. There's no regret for that kind of sorrow. But worldly sorrow, which lacks repentance, results in spiritual death.

We’ve all seen people cry on national television because some “indiscretion” has come to light. The question arises in us, “Is this person grieving because they got caught, or because they really see the devastation of their sin?” In other words, “Are they sorry enough to make a change?” I see it with my grandchildren. One will hit the other causing a cacophony of screaming, crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth. A parent will get involved and part of the discipline involved is to make the offending party tell the victim, “I’m sorry for hitting you.” Sometimes the apology comes with little cajoling and sometimes it comes after more screaming, crying, wailing and gnashing of teeth. Is it true godly sorrow or godly mourning if in 30 minutes we are re-living the entire scenario all over again?

Most theologians seem to agree that the type of mourning Jesus is talking about here is godly sorrow over one’s own sin, the sin of her people and her nation. Do you mourn over your sin? Do you mourn over the sin you see around you? Do you mourn over the sin of your nation?

Those who do so will be comforted. Mourning over your own sin that leads to repentance (See “REPENT” from July 8 for more on this) results in salvation. What an awesome comfort that is; saved from eternal death, from hell; saved to a new abundant life in Christ and saved to eternal life with Him forever. And He gives His Holy Spirit, the Comforter to each of His children (John 14:16).

Read this Old Testament promise in Isaiah… Isaiah 61:1-4 The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is upon Me, for the LORD has anointed Me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent Me to comfort the brokenhearted and to proclaim that captives will be released and prisoners will be freed.  (2)  He has sent Me to tell those who mourn that the time of the LORD's favor has come, and with it, the day of God's anger against their enemies.  (3)  To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the LORD has planted for His own glory.  (4)  They will rebuild the ancient ruins, repairing cities destroyed long ago. They will revive them, though they have been deserted for many generations.

Jesus quotes from this passage in Luke 4. He is the fulfillment of this promise. Count the number of times the word, “mourn” is used here and look at the blessings that are coming to those who do so.

Today I urge you to see your own sin as God sees it. He does not laugh, nor joke about our sin. It breaks His heart and it causes great trouble for us and for our nation. Proverbs 14:34 NKJV Righteousness exalts a nation, But sin is a reproach to any people.

Please note that this sorrow that leads to repentance does not lead to discouragement, depression or suicide. That kind of sorrow is worldly sorrow. See 2 Cor 7:10 above. 

James 4:7-10 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.  (8)  Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world.  (9)  Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy.  (10)  Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up in honor.

Oh Lord God, May we see our sin the way You see it. May we truly grieve such that our hearts turn away from sin and turn to You and Your righteousness. May others see our lives and know we are Your true disciples because we keep Your commands and truly love each other. In Jesus Name, AMEN!!!

FOLLOWING THROUGH

John 8:31-32  Jesus said to the people who believed in Him, "You are truly My disciples if you remain faithful to My teachings.

32  And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."

Mathew 7:24-27  "Anyone who listens to My teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

25 Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse because it is built on bedrock.

26 But anyone who hears My teaching and doesn't obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand.

27 When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash."

This blog is being written based on the teachings of Jesus Christ. My goal here is to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to help others be a disciple of Jesus Christ.

DISCLAIMER: I know that all scripture is given by inspiration of God… and I am in no way discounting any of it. So, please do not write me about that. This is not intended to be a thorough study of all of the Word of God. It is intended to help myself and those interested in being disciples of Jesus Christ by reading, meditating on, and applying to our lives, the words of Jesus Christ. That is not to say that we won’t be using other passages to bolster what is taught. It is to say, that for this endeavor that our main focus will be on the Words of Jesus often printed in red letters. Thus, we begin where Father began with me a couple months ago.

One of my Elders challenged me to begin writing a daily devotional for our congregation. In a time of prayer I kept hearing the words, “Red Letter Discipleship.” After discussing this with my dear friend, confidant and wife (all the same person) we prayed further and felt impressed this was direction from our Lord. In prayer and study Father took me to the two passages above and so here are some thoughts on these passages.

Jesus made it clear that to be His disciple one must “remain faithful to” His “teachings.” (John 8:31) And according to verse 32, if we remain faithful to His teachings we will “know the truth” which will set us “free.” We are told in John 14:6 that Jesus is indeed the “Truth.” So, in following, abiding in and remaining in His teachings you get to know Him better and better and that sets you free. Free from sin, free to be part of the family of God, free to live a truly abundant life.

According to Matthew 7:24-27 it is the wise, those deemed wise by God, who listen to the teaching of Christ and follow it. The foolish, again deemed so by God, do not follow Jesus’ teaching. Note: both the wise and foolish heard the teaching, but only the wise follow through, apply to their lives what is being taught.

So, I lay before you questions. Will you choose to follow through? Will you apply His words to your life? Will you get to really know Jesus and experience the freedom He speaks of?