.: those with ears to hear :.

The secret of the Gospel comes as a radical invasion into the lives of those with ears to hear. Whenever you see Jesus running into those who “had it all together” spiritually, we often see him addressing their skepticism and confronting their hardheartedness. But with those who came with their defenses down, empty and ready to receive, we see Jesus speaking the truths of the Good News to them in powerful and passionate ways. The reason my heart is pondering this theme is simply because that as a man who has been given the gift of teaching, my deepest desire is that my words would have an impact upon my listeners. All pride admitted, I confess and realize that it is the Holy Spirit who uses my words as He sees fit (i.e., to convict, to encourage, to admonish, etc.). But as I consider what it means for me to stand behind that pulpit, I am quickly coming to the conclusion that I am mostly there to speak for the sake of those who truly have ears to hear. For those who hear the message and aren’t ready to receive the heart of the message, for them it is one more step in the process of the hardening of their hearts. It’s one more step in confirming their selfish suspicions. It’s one more step in reinforcing their decisions to live a certain way. It’s one more step in establishing their behavior of “ungrace” towards all those around them. My heart is for all to hear the truth – not just as I see it, but in it’s objective reality – and for the Spirit to use it to set them free. May God use those whom He chooses to accomplish His work of love and grace!