Walking as a Christian: Our Five Senses – Hearing

“…the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.” (Proverbs 18:15 NKJV)

    Continuing in our five-lesson study of our five senses, we will look this week at hearing and how to use this sense to glorify God who made us and gave us these benefits (Proverbs 20:12, Psalm 139:13-14).

    Wisdom, personified, says “Now therefore, listen to me, my children, for blessed are those who keep my ways. Hear instruction and be wise, and do not disdain it. Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. For whoever finds me finds life, and obtains favour from the LORD.” (Proverbs 8:32-35). We need to use our ears to hear what is good and beneficial!

    Using our ears to really hear and listen is important, so much so that Jesus, Himself, calls for our use of them repeatedly – “he that has an ear, let him hear” – at the beginning of the New Testament (Matthew 11:15, 13:9, 43, Mark 4:9, 23, 7:16, Luke 8:8, 14:35) and at the end (Revelation 2:7, 11, 17, 29, 3:6, 13, 22, 13:9). Why is it so important? Because God calls us through the gospel (2 Thessalonians 2:13-14) and faith comes from hearing God’s word (Romans 10:17).

    Our hearing is limited by our heart’s interest in the subject matter. Consider Pharaoh who hardened his heart and would not listen to Moses (Exodus 8:15, 19, etc.), the Israelites who turned from God (Zechariah 7:8-14, Proverbs 28:9), and those who refuse to hear the pure gospel message (Acts 7:51-57, 2 Timothy 4:3-4).  

“O, be careful little ears what you hear…” (Children’s song, 1956, Zondervan Music)

    What we listen to daily can affect our heart’s capability to develop interest and limits. Think on Jesus’ parable of the sower (Matthew 13, Mark 4, Luke 8) where the heart’s ability to really listen to the word of God is hindered by the “rocks and weeds” of persecution, trials, and cares of this world. If we give our ears to the people who criticize us for believing in God or listen to the world who says “money is everything” our interest in hearing “pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44-48) and “godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6-10, 17-19) we will be minimal at best. That is why we need to be careful what we listen to regularly (ungodly people, TV shows, movies, music, audiobooks, podcasts, etc.) and why we are cautioned against using our ears for evil things like listening to slander/gossip (Proverbs 18:8, 26:22) and empty words that deceive (Ephesians 5:1-7).

“Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 4:7b NKJV)

    We need to have a heart that is constantly developing interest in hearing God’s word so we can be doing what He has told us in His word (James 1:21-25), this very thing shows true wisdom on our part (Matthew 7:24-29). Let us be like the multitudes who pressed about Jesus to hear the word of God (Luke 5:1) and the noble Bereans who received the word with all readiness (Acts 17:11) and let’s determine to keep our ears open to His word, letting it correct us and guide us toward full maturity (2 Timothy 3:16-17)!

You can do it! So can I!! 

Walking as a Christian: Our Five Senses - Sight

    I would like to finish up this year of Faithfully Flourishing with a small, 5-lesson series that explores bible verses that pertain to our five senses (if the Lord wills we will look at one sense per week) and how to use them to seek God and walk properly in His sight. Let’s begin this week with our sense of sight.

“Come and see the works of God; He is awesome in His doing toward the sons of men.” (Psalm 66:5 NKJV)

    At some point in your life, either directly or indirectly, someone said to you, “Come and see the works of God.” Maybe it was a parent, grandparent, or relative, maybe it was your spouse, a friend, neighbour, or coworker, maybe it was a stranger, a posted ad, or an invite to study the bible, but someone encouraged you to open your eyes to God and His wondrous work.

    God has blessed people with sight, even those with vision impairment or loss can have their spiritual eyes opened to His great goodness (Psalm 119:18) because in His light, we see light (Psalm 36:9); we can see and know the proper pathway that leads to Him (Psalm 119:105, Matthew 7:13-14). Our loving Father sent His Son to be the light of the world (John 8:12) so that we could see the way out of the darkness of sin and have hope (John 1:4-13; 3:16-21).

“My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and look up.” (Psalm 5:3 NKJV)

    Once we have had our eyes opened, we need to keep our eyes focused on Jesus to avoid falling back into old sinful habits (Colossians 3:1-18) and to keep ourselves moving forward in the “race” (Hebrews 12:1-2, Philippians 3:12-16). We, as Christians, are to grow and flourish (2 Peter 3:18, 1 John 2:3-6) because going dormant (not progressing) will result in spiritual shortsightedness and even blindness that will cause us to stumble (read and think on 2 Peter 1:5-11). We need to value our gift of sight and use it to God’s glory by reading and studying (1 Timothy 4:13, 15-16, so we can do what He says, James 1:21-25), seeing the needs of others (Matthew 25:34-46, 1 John 3:17-18; 5:16, Titus 2:3-5) and sharing our blessings (2 Corinthians 9:7-11) so we can benefit others and tell them of God (Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:9)!

“Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” (1 John 3:2-3 NKJV)

    We have hope, when this life is over, of seeing God the Father and His Son as they are! We need to keep ourselves pure, starting with how we use our sight (consider Psalm 101:3a and Matthew 5:27-30, we know this applies to women looking at men as well). Let’s appreciate our sight and use it to draw closer to God, to learn from His word, and to see His goodness in the world (Psalm 27:15, Romans 1:20, Hebrews 11:1, 3)! And let’s let our faith develop so we can be like the patriarchs who saw God’s promises afar off, were assured of them, embraced them, and desired that better, heavenly country (Hebrews 11:13-16) and, like them, let's look eagerly for Jesus’ coming (2 Peter 3:13-14, Revelation 1:7) anticipating when our faith will become clear, flawless sight (Psalm 17:15, Revelation 22:4)!!

You can do it! So can I!!

"Father of... spirits and lights"

    As we conclude this series, there are two more “Father of…” mentions in the New Testament that I would like to look at this week: “Father of spirits” in Hebrews 12:9 and “Father of lights” in James 1:17.

Father, from the Greek ‘pater’ (Strong’s #3962), it is used of our heavenly Father, He is our originator, our Creator, and as we purify ourselves we come to resemble Him more and more (1 John 3:1-3), as we learn to walk just as His Son, Jesus, walked (1 John 2:1-6).

“Father of spirits”

“Furthermore, we have had human fathers who have corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?” (Hebrews 12:9 NKJV)

    First some definitions:

•        spirits – all spirit’s, both man’s and angels
•         subjection – to obey, place ourselves under His command, submit to His plan/way, how He would have it
•          live – emphatically stated in this verse (according to the Greek word used), to live fully, to enjoy a real life; one that is active and blessed, in God’s kingdom

    Within the context of Hebrews 12 we find that God chastens us because He loves us and wants us to know right from wrong, He wants us to choose right over wrong, and while painful in the process (of overcoming temptation and sinful habits), He does this for our profit that we may be partakers of His holiness (consider 1 Peter 1:15-16) and bear the peaceable fruit of righteousness (Hebrews 12:3-11).

    We respected our parents for their guidance and discipline who did so as they saw fit (with their limited scope of experience and wisdom, 1 Corinthians 1:25), how much more should we respect and submit to the heavenly Father, the very One who created us, who is infinite in wisdom (Psalm 147:5, Romans 11:33-36, Colossians 2:2-3), gracious in guidance (2 Timothy 3:16-17), and is constant in His love (Romans 5:8; 8:39, 1 John 4:8-10)?

    God is the Father of spirits. He is their Creator, Preserver, Guardian, and Protector. We can trust our soul to His care (Psalm 16:1-2; 57:1, 1 Peter 1:3-9). We need to show respect for His word through reading/listening, study and application (be hearers and doers, James 1:21-27). We need to do what is necessary to submit to God’s way, not waste time trying to align His word to our way of thinking (Matthew 7:21-23; 15:8-9).

“Father of lights”    

“Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” (James 1:16-17 NKJV)

    Definitions:

• lights – anything emitting light, ex: a heavenly luminary (star)
• no variation or shadow of turning – God does not change, shift, nor turn (as shadows do with the earth’s rotation and revolution around the sun), He is the absolute and constant reference point (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8)  

    The context of James 1 shows the need to look to God for all that is good and praise Him during hardships because there is so much good He can grant us in any circumstance.

    James was writing to Jews who were “scattered abroad” (v1) and he encouraged them to see the trials they were facing as opportunities to hone their patience and develop an enduring faith that would not be “driven and tossed” (v6) with doubt, but be firmly established. He spurred them on to seek God for what they lacked, namely wisdom – proper wisdom that comes from above (v5, 3:13-18). He also did not want his brethren to be deceived by mistaken notions, so he clarified that God would not/will not put things in their path that could lead them away from Him (He does not tempt people, vv13-15), He provides only what is good, illuminating the very pathway that leads to Him (John 8:12, Psalm 36:9, 119:105, Matthew 7:13-14).

    God is the Father of lights. He is their Creator, Upholder, and Ruler (Genesis 1:14-18, Psalm 147:4-5, Isaiah 40:26). Consider the benefits of lights on life: the sun provides heat and causes growth and development of living things, we are able to see better in light, and even the light provided from the moon helps us to move about with increased safety. We feel cheered on a sunny day and at night the stars cause wonderment and fascination in their placement and twinkle. God gave us light for our benefit and He went above and beyond by providing us with the Light, His own Son (John 1:1-5, 3:16-21). When we consider the benefits of light and the Light we can better appreciate the term “Father of lights” and how He is the provider of all that is good and perfect. He is the very source of pure light, an unchanging light that will guide us out of the darkness of sin and help us to grow and develop much fruit (Ephesians 5:8-14).

    Look to God and consider these aspects of His character. He is the Father of your spirit and He is the Father of all light. When we submit our soul/spirit to His care and guidance we will live, when we walk in His light we will live both now and beyond this earthly life (1 John 1:5-10)! Keep your eyes and mind on Him (Colossians 3:1-18). It is worth every effort and every sacrifice – and His blessings will abound all the while! Are you ready?

You can do it! So can I!!

“Father of…” (Part 1 of 2)

    While I was studying for our previous “God of…” series, I came across a few verses that described God as “Father of…” and wanted to share them with you.

Father, from the Greek ‘pater’ (Strong’s #3962), it is used of our heavenly Father, He is our originator, our Creator, and as we purify ourselves we come to resemble Him more and more (1 John 3:1-3), as we learn to walk just as His Son, Jesus, walked (1 John 2:1-6).

    These “Father of…” descriptions are only found in the New Testament:

• ·         Ephesians 1:17 – “...the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory…”
• ·         Ephesians 4:6 – “…one God and Father of all…”
• ·         Hebrews 12:9 – “…the Father of spirits…”
• ·         James 1:17 – “…the Father of lights…”

    Let’s dig into the first two passages this week and find what these descriptions mean!

“Father of glory” (Please read Ephesians 1:15-19)

    In Paul’s prayer he desires that God, the Father of glory, will give the Ephesian brethren the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, that they would understand and know the hope of God’s calling, the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and the exceeding greatness of His power toward those who believe, that all this may be according to the working of His mighty power.

‘glory’ in this passage comes from the Greek ‘doxa’ (Strong’s #1391) which simply means opinion, but always in the New Testament it means a good opinion, what brings about a good opinion. When speaking of God the Father of glory it expresses His infinite worth, the very majesty that is God; that is an essential part of His nature.

    Being blessed by Him with every spiritual blessing (read the whole of Ephesians 1) should bring about and increase our good opinion of Him: that God, the Father, is all goodness, all mercy, all grace, all compassion, all generosity, all might, and all majesty (Jude 25).

“Father of all” (Please read Ephesians 4:1-6)

    The very foundation of our faith, the things we all must agree on to “maintain the unity of the Spirit” is found in Ephesians 4:4-6. There is one body (Christ’s body, the church, Ephesians 1:22-23), one Spirit (the Holy Spirit of God), one hope of your calling (eternal life with God, Colossians 1:5, 2 Peter 3:11-13, Philippians 3:12-16), one Lord (Jesus Christ, Acts 2:36), one faith (Jude 3), one baptism (for remission of sins, Acts 2:38; 22:16), one God and Father of all (of all Christians: Ephesians 5:1-21, 1 John 3:1-3, 1 Peter 1:13-21), who is above all (Genesis 1:1, Psalm 97:9, 1 Corinthians 11:13), through all (Romans 1:19-20; 11:36), and in you all (1 Thessalonians 2:13, 1 John 4:12-16).

    God is over all of this, all of us, it was His plan before time began (Ephesians 1:4) to grant all these benefits to His creation; He begot the plan and begot us. He desires that His creation will seek Him (Acts 17:26-27), follow His plan (Romans 8:28; 12:1-2, 9-21), so we may one day see our Father as He is, for we shall be like Him (1 John 3:1-3).

    Our God is our Father, the eternal Father of all who believe and obey (Isaiah 62:2, Acts 11:26). Do we run to Him, talk to Him, and seek comfort and guidance from Him as our Father (Hebrews 4:16, Philippians 4:6-7, 2 Corinthians 1:3-4)?

     He will not leave us nor forsake us. He loves us and blesses us abundantly every day (Psalm 68:19). He is the very Father of glory – everything that is good, perfect, and glorious is found in Him and comes from Him (James 1:17-18) – do we give Him the proper glory He deserves (Ephesians 3:20-21, Revelation 4:11)? Do we proclaim His praises as we should (1 Peter 2:9)?

    Let’s think on these things, and determine to seek God our Father each and every day and glorify Him throughout our lives!

You can do it! So can I!!