Mar 02

It is not really a matter of not being able to understand words, though, that is the problem when speaking to a lost world about God. The problem, as always, is the state of the spirit in those to whom we speak. A heart that is unrepentant of sin simply will not listen to the message of the gospel. It is a matter of choosing not to listen rather than an inability to do so.

Jesus encountered this maddening frustration when speaking to those who claimed they could not understand what he was telling them about himself and God. But Jesus, being God himself, knew what the real problem was. It was not lack of communication; it was lack of repentance and lack of love for God and the truth. Listen to his words:

"Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say" (John 8:43).

The inability to hear God speaking is not because of some problem in audibility; the problem is in the heart, the spirit. The spirit inside such a person is unwilling to hear God speak to him or her. An unrepentant heart is what makes one unable to hear, not some innate defect in the spirit which God places in every human being. To believe otherwise would be to blame God for a person's inability to hear his clear voice in that person's conscience and spirit. But Jesus says:

"He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God" (John 8:47).

Scripture for today: 1 Cor. 2:13; John 8:42-47
Thought for today: Those who belong to God hear his voice.
Prayer for today: Lord, may I always hear you speak to me. I belong to you; I want to hear your voice. Speak to me, Lord, and I will listen.

MAR 02