Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

James 1:22 (NIV)

 

Hearing and listening are closely related, but not the same.

We can hear sermons without listening to what the Spirit is saying to us in and through the Scriptures. This is why so many people complained that they learn nothing from the Sunday’s message. And how could they? After all, according to the Apostle James, listening leads to practical involvement and action, and engaging in such intuitive activities increases our listening capacity.

Listening awakens faith. It has a way of challenging us to rise above living an ordinary life. Now there is nothing wrong wanting to live an ordinary life, but please do not ignore the opportunity if God has other plans for you. Just be obedient and follow His leading. This, however, requires us to take risks and live with the consequences and wonders of obeying God. Unfortunately, many in the church do not really want change. They prefer comfort over change and will not venture into new horizons of faith.

Openness to the Spirit brings new ways of seeing God and our relationship with Him.

As we began to perceive the immeasurable riches of God’s grace towards us, our perception of life and faith become so perfectly aligned that we are always ready to do His will. In other words, we do not need faith for God to do something because we already know He will do exactly what He says. It rests on us to take steps of faith and to let His Spirit lead.