Friday, October 03, 2008

Hard Hearted Hearing

About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.
(Hebrews 5:11 – ESV)

So this passage (Hebrews 5:11-14) says that there is much to learn from the Word of God (the bible), about the Word (Jesus), but too often we don’t give it the due diligence it requires, we let it go and become slothful and stagnant. Then persecution, problems, suffering and situations draw our attention back to our old life and our old ways. We see them as more comfortable than moving forward, and we start to continue to look back, and we become hard of hearing and hard hearted. We can be a Christian for a long time and think we have heard it all before, but while we may have heard it, we have stopped being affected by it.

Now someone can have intelligence but not be learning. Someone can be smart but not skilled. Someone can be doing but not be developed. Some one can have been built up in the faith, but become lax and worn down. This is not simply about biblical knowledge but obedience and faith (trust). 2 Peter 3:18 – this is not simply a call to be more studious but more serious. It is a call to surrender control and submit to study. It does take BOTH to grow. If we don’t keep growing, we start to be slowing, and then we will wither away.

In the Pastoral Epistles, Timothy was instructed to pass along what he had learned, a fully orbed faith. It was not just doctrines of facts and figures. Instead he was given instructions on how to recognize those who had learned. Here in Hebrews, the writer recognizes that by their affections for comfort and companions rather than Christ, he can see that they had stopped learning and were looking back and starting to move backward. A lot of people get confused on these types of issues, because they think that they are simply trying to minister to spiritual stragglers, but they are the ones being left behind.

While it is certainly true that we must be doers not simply hearers of the Word, we cannot be doers if we are not hearers. Otherwise our doing may just be doing what we think is right but it is wrong. Now all of this is about becoming skilled, yes, but it is a matter of will before it is a matter of skill, and if you get the order wrong you will be out of order, which we see so often with people who know a whole lot of bible but are a whole lot of ungodly. This isn’t an excuse for the rest of us to not study, it is a call to rightly handle the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15). It is a call to keep on moving forward in our sanctification, becoming less like the world and more like Christ, in true holiness and in the knowledge of Him. Sometimes we can be so preoccupied with ministering to others that we become casualties ourselves. Can you hear what I am saying, or do you think you have it all figured out?

“Living For Today With An Eye For Tomorrow”©

13 comments:

Even So... said...

This is the sixth post in this series, much more to come...

donsands said...

The father sets us aprt for His work, through His Word, and His Word is truth. And we need to hear the whole Bible, every book.

My pastor is teaching the book of Ruth right now. I'm loving it.

And I attend a Bible study once a week, where we are studying the Minor prophets, how they relate to one another, and to the history of Israel in the book of Kings.

It's alot, but it's amazing how God molds our hearts through His word, and so we live a life of shining for His glory before men and women.

And I also get fed here, and other blogs as well.

Thanks for the food JD.

MrsEvenSo... said...

It's alot like being "busy for the Kingdom". Busy work isn't usually for the Kingdom of God. We think it is because we think we're doing rightly. I mean, God wouldn't put someone in our path or have someone ask us to do something "godly" if He didn't want us to "minister" to/for them would He? I know I've been guilty of being guilted into "doing things for God" in the past and therefor I did become a casualty. Just because I recognize that fact doesn't mean it can't or won't happen again although I pray that it won't. I don't think I'll ever have it all figured out. Praise God.

Even So... said...

Your welcome Don, and thanks for the comments you give, always right on target, it shows you know your cuisine...

Even So... said...

Honey, you are right there with me on that...sometimes are work for God can keep us fromGod...

Even So... said...

Good, gospel-orientated, expository preaching is like manna from heaven. Listening to it will fatten the soul. A lack of it will lead to malnourishment and spiritual death.

Brad Williams

http://alienman.blogspot.com/2008/10/preaching-as-food-for-soul.html

Even So... said...

I believe I read John MacArthur say something about how he really didn't want his sermons themselves to be memorable, just effective, that the growth that comes from preaching actually happens without us realizing exactly how.

In my mind the Sunday sermon is where we get our mail...it is important, it directs us, and we never stop receiving it...I would never get bored having to check my mail every day if I knew there was a check for me in it! How much more the riches of heaven through the Word of God preached!

MrsEvenSo... said...

Amen!

Matt Gumm said...

This has nothing to do with your post, but you guys are going to beat us like a drum tomorrow. I half expected to get a call from you telling me you'd be at the game.

Even So... said...

After last week I am taking nothing for granted....

Even So... said...

Matt, we are coming up around Thanksgiving, Lord willing...

JoyfullyHis said...

'while we may have heard it, we have stopped being affected by it.'
OUCH! How many times have I heard of someone tell how they led someone to a saving knowledge of Jesus and nodded and said "great." that's just one of many things that I have stopped being affected by....phew.
'a call to rightly handle the word of truth' Yes! That's what needs to happen! To know the word, to study to show yourself approved, a workman who need not be ashamed and then to RIGHTLY handle it! Not doing what we think is right. Almost everyone, Christian and nonchristians do what they think is right. But really hearing what God is saying and then Rightly dividing the truth. This is what I want. Definitely don't want to wither away.
Deep post. Ouch.

Even So... said...

Proverbs 28:26 - Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.