How We Abide In Simple Faith (18 of 18)
Series: Simple Faith
Eddie Snipes
No book, tape series, or teaching can change your life. Any who claim their words have life-changing power are overstepping their role in teaching. An author or teacher can present the life-changing principles of the scripture, but readers and hearers must apply their hearts to the word, or it has no positive effect on them.
When the disciples came to Jesus to understand the deeper truths, he said, "Those who are on the outside have these things hidden from them, but to you who are within, these things are revealed."161
The only difference between those without and those in the inner circle is the response of the individual's heart. Most people heard the message and walked away. They may have been inspired, intrigued, and even believed. But they walked away without seeking the meaning and how it applies to their life. The word is life-changing, but only when it is received by faith. Consider Hebrews 4:2
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
The word is applied by faith. Those who hear the word and then return to their everyday lives do not profit from the word. But those who receive it, take it to heart, and seek a deeper understanding so it can be applied to their life, do indeed profit from the word.
You and I make the same choice each time we see or hear the word taught. Or when we read our own Bibles. We either walk away and go back to our status quo lives, or we seek a deeper understanding so we can live by the word and abide in Christ. There are many who spend their entire lives in church and hear the word each week, but never mature out of spiritual infancy. Most of us have been there, but none of us have to stay there. One of the clearest pathways to maturity is found in Proverbs 2:1-9
1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands wit ...
Series: Simple Faith
Eddie Snipes
No book, tape series, or teaching can change your life. Any who claim their words have life-changing power are overstepping their role in teaching. An author or teacher can present the life-changing principles of the scripture, but readers and hearers must apply their hearts to the word, or it has no positive effect on them.
When the disciples came to Jesus to understand the deeper truths, he said, "Those who are on the outside have these things hidden from them, but to you who are within, these things are revealed."161
The only difference between those without and those in the inner circle is the response of the individual's heart. Most people heard the message and walked away. They may have been inspired, intrigued, and even believed. But they walked away without seeking the meaning and how it applies to their life. The word is life-changing, but only when it is received by faith. Consider Hebrews 4:2
For indeed the gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in those who heard it.
The word is applied by faith. Those who hear the word and then return to their everyday lives do not profit from the word. But those who receive it, take it to heart, and seek a deeper understanding so it can be applied to their life, do indeed profit from the word.
You and I make the same choice each time we see or hear the word taught. Or when we read our own Bibles. We either walk away and go back to our status quo lives, or we seek a deeper understanding so we can live by the word and abide in Christ. There are many who spend their entire lives in church and hear the word each week, but never mature out of spiritual infancy. Most of us have been there, but none of us have to stay there. One of the clearest pathways to maturity is found in Proverbs 2:1-9
1 My son, if you receive my words, And treasure my commands wit ...
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