How we become saved
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
“This only would I learn of you, received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:2
“He therefore that ministereth to you the Spirit, and worketh miracles among you, doeth he it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” Galatians 3:5
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?” Romans 10:13-14
To the saints
“That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1John 1:3
“My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:27-28
“Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.” Revelation 1:3
The problem of hearing but not doing
“And, lo, thou art unto them as a very lovely song of one that hath a pleasant voice, and can play well on an instrument: for they hear thy words, but they do them not.” Ezekiel 33:32
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.” James 1:22
“But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.” James 1:25
“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.” Hebrews 4:2
Therefore, we must make it our desire to AVOID becoming:
- “forgetful hearer” (James 1:25)
- “hearer only” (James 1:22)
- “not a doer” (James 1:23)
- “hear thy words, but they do them not” (Ezekiel 33:32)
For example:
“And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken (listen).” 2 Chronicles 33:10
“But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear.” Zechariah 7:11
Method of Evaluation:
As I listen to others teach God’s word, whether it be Church, Bible Study, or on the Television, am I being a good, effective hearer? The following method is suggested to evaluate how you are doing in the area of hearing the Word.
- Am I praying and asking God to speak to me and give me something from His Word to live by (Psalm 119:33-34, Nehemiah 8:13) so that I go to the meeting with and expectant heart?
- Am I receiving the Word as it is spoken considering that what is spoken could be true? (Acts 17:11)
- Am I writing down the Scripture and the main points so that I can go back and review them alone with God?
- Am I taking time to get my notes and go back over God’s words comparing Scripture with Scripture to see whether those things were so (Acts 17:11)?
- Have I taken some specific action as a result of hearing and reviewing these Scriptures (James 1:25)?
Used with Permission from www.biyn.org