Faith Comes by Hearing

 

Today, not only can we easily read the Bible, but we can also listen to it wherever we are. Unlike the past, all it takes is a smartphone to access God's Word anytime and anywhere.

 

However, the important thing is not merely seeing and hearing the Scriptures with our eyes and ears. What truly matters is receiving God's Word into our hearts.

 

Luke 8:15 "But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience."

 

1 Thessalonians 2:13 "For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe."

 

As technology has advanced, many people spend countless hours listening to news, opinions, and voices from the world. Yet, ironically, far less time is spent reading and hearing the Word of God.

 

2 Timothy 4:3-4 "For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables."

 

Proverbs 2:1-5 "My son, if thou wilt receive my words, and hide my commandments with thee; So that thou incline thine ear unto wisdom, and apply thine heart to understanding; Yea, if thou criest after knowledge, and liftest up thy voice for understanding; If thou seekest her as silver, and searchest for her as for hid treasures; Then shalt thou understand the fear of Jehovah, and find the knowledge of God."

 

The Bible teaches that faith comes by hearing. In other words, the closer we stay to God's Word, the stronger our faith becomes.

 

Acts 17:11-12 "These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. Therefore many of them believed..."

 

2 Thessalonians 1:3 "We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is meet, because that your faith groweth exceedingly, and the charity of every one of you all toward each other aboundeth."

 

On the other hand, if we neglect God's Word, our faith will inevitably grow weak. Just as our physical bodies become weak without food, our souls also lose strength when they are not nourished by God's Word.

 

God has given us His Word so that we may live by it, preserve our faith through it, and grow stronger in it.

 

Deuteronomy 8:3 "Man doth not live by bread only, but by every thing that proceedeth out of the mouth of Jehovah doth man live."

 

John 6:49-51 "Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever..."

 

Therefore, we should make time to read and hear the Word of God. Thanks to modern technology, we can listen to the words of Jesus while commuting, doing household chores, or taking a walk.

 

As we meditate on His Word, believe it in our hearts, and obey it, we receive life through it.

 

John 5:25 "Verily, verily, I say unto you, The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God: and they that hear shall live."

 

We must remember that faith does not come from human thoughts, emotions, or feelings. Faith comes from the Word of God.

 

Therefore, today and every day, let us draw near to God's Word. Let us read it, hear it, believe it, and walk in obedience to it.

 

Psalm 73:28 "But it is good for me to draw near to God: I have put my trust in the Lord Jehovah, that I may declare all thy works."

 

Revelation 1:3 "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."

 

Amen.