Title Hearing and Faith (Hebrews 4:1-2)
Contents The month of the Reformation was celebrated. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther presented the 95 theses reform proposal on the door of the Wittenberg Cathedral. The church must always be reformed. The reformers began reforming under the motto of faith alone, grace alone, the Bible alone, Christ alone, and the glory of God alone.
"Faith" is the central concept of church reform, and the central concept of personal reform is faith. As we approach this month, we must meditate once again on what faith is and how important it is, and strengthen our will to reform through faith.
1. Hearing is pleasing to God.
Hearing is an important part of our lives and is one of the five senses of sight, taste, hearing, smell, and touch.
It is said that the sight and hearing of the fetus respond at the age of six months. By the time the fetus is 6 months old, it can already be heard. 1 Samuel 15:22 says, “To obey is better than sacrifice, and to listen is better than the fat of rams.” What is more pleasing than sacrifice is obedience, and what is more pleasing than the fat of rams is listening. To hear is to please God. Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration said that Peter wanted to build three tents and live on the mountain, but the voice of heaven listened to Jesus. Mary received more praise than Martha
Because listening takes precedence over work. Deuteronomy 6:4 is called the Shema, and it commands Israel to hear, Jesus also says that he who has ears, let him hear, and in Revelation, he who has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
2. Hearing is the foundation of faith.
John 5:24 says, “Whoever hears my word and believes in him who sent me has eternal life and will not come into judgment.
It has passed from death to life.” Hearing is the foundation of education, and hearing is important in faith. Also, Romans 10:17 says that faith comes from hearing. We hear only things, but Christians must hear what will benefit our souls.
It's hard to get someone who can't hear you to hear. Therefore, it is a great blessing to be able to hear, and only when you hear is faith.
3. Hearing must be in harmony with faith.
Hebrews 4:2 says, "The word that they heard did not benefit them, because the faith was not reconciled to those who heard it." Listening is important, but not all listening is beneficial. It is beneficial to hear what is heard in harmony with faith. Jonah heard the word of God, but he could not reconcile his faith. Eventually, hearing became a source of trouble, disobeying, and receiving God's discipline. Hebrews 11:6 says, "Without faith it is impossible to please God." Words in harmony with faith please God. If it is not faith, do not listen, and when you hear, you must hear in harmony with faith, so that it is beneficial to the soul, to the glory of God, and to all people. Let's become Christians, in which hearing is beneficial in union with faith, and faith grows through hearing.