The Lord Jesus demands a practical outworking of his word: “He that hath ears to hear, let him hear,” – “I have delivered many things in your presence, and ye have done well in hearing them. But my preaching is not to be viewed as an entertainment. My doctrine is not designed to amuse the mind, to gratify curiosity, to furnish a number of lifeless speculations. Hearing is only instrumental to something else; there is a duty of greater importance still remaining.” What is it, my brethren? What does our Saviour say in other parts of His word to explain His command? “Mix faith with hearing, ” He says, “let not the sense leave the mind as soon as the sound leaves the ear– remember it – enliven it by meditation – reduce it into feelings and actions – fear these denunciations – embrace these promises – walk according to this rule.”
It is a lamentable reflection, that all the concern many of our hearers have with sermons consists in hearing them. They do not consider hearing as the means of becoming religious – it is their religion. They conclude that their duty is over when the discourse is ended whereas it has just begun. Instead of carrying off portions of divine wisdom to illuminate their lives, they leave behind them all the instruction they have received.
But, the Word of God is practical; every truth is announced to accomplish some purpose. If it reveals a refuge, it is that you may enter in and be safe. If it proclaims a remedy, it is that you may use it. It is not your hearing it, but your applying it that will save you from death. You say of a preacher, he ought to do as well to preach, and we say of a hearer, he ought to do as well as to hear. You say truly – that mere preaching will not save us; and we say – with equal truth – mere hearing will not save you. And can you imagine that the design of this blessed God in giving you His glorious gospel from Sabbath to Sabbath is acknowledged if, after all the sermons you have heard and even applauded after twenty or forty years, you are found as malignant, as covetous, as full of the world as before? Or if your profiting appears only in some dead notions, very well laid out in your mind, or in a capacity to weigh preachers in the nicest scales of orthodoxy, or in the “useful” employment of splitting hairs, or tying and untying knots? What! Does the gospel of your salvation only make you a trifler?
To persons concerned for the honour of the gospel and the salvation of mankind, the Christian world presents an affecting prospect. Where is the preacher who doesn't close his Sabbaths imbittered by the review of unprofitableness? You invite us to your tables – you crowd us in our temples; but you impel us to retire from both complaining, “Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” We condemn your practice! You thank us for our good sermons, and proceed as before. Your approval does not hinder your sinning, nor your sinning your approval. Where are the evidences of our success? Are they to be heard in the enquiry, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Are they to be seen in your deadness to the world – in your self-denying – in your taking up the cross – in your heavenly-mindedness – in serving your generation according to the will of God – in being examples to others?
How shall I impress you with the importance of this or by what motives can I enforce upon you this practical attention to the gospel you hear? Shall I remind you of the precarious tenure of your privileges, and say, with our Saviour, “Yet a little while is the light with you; walk while ye have the light, lest darkness come upon you?” There are no calls of mercy beyond the grave, and “What is your life? It is even a vapour that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” The Jews had distinguished privileges; but, “The kingdom of God was taken from them, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.” Where now are those churches of Asia? Your candlestick may be removed. You may be rendered incapable of hearing. Surely if anything can provoke God to take away the means of grace, or to make them useless, it is a people's awful abuse of them.
But, shall I mention the happiness of those who receive the gospel, “not in word only”? “And it came to pass, as He spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto Him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked. But, He said, Yea, rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” “Whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the word, this man shall be blessed in his deed.”
“Take heed how ye hear!”
“If any man hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
This Page Title – Take heed how ye hear. By William Jay The Wicket Gate Magazine "A Continuing Witness". Internet Edition number 107 – placed on line March 2014 Wicket Gate contact address – Mr Cliff Westcombe cw@wicketgate.co.uk If you wish to be notified when each new edition goes on line please send an e-mail to the above address Magazine web address – www.wicketgate.co.uk |