06/11/2014 - THEY HEAR AND FOLLOW

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My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.  John 10.27

People who hear the preaching of the gospel but do not understand the message of the Word of God need to perform self-examination urgently, because they are probably not saved. Jesus did not make a mistake when he said that; on the contrary, he was very emphatic. And this statement is more profound than we think, since it reflects our spiritual reality.

A preacher should keep an eye on that which the Lord gives him to minister. Every time the Word is being preached, Jesus’ sheep understand what is being said. Consequently, based on what God reveals, he can make a call for salvation, invite people to receive the prayer of faith or lead someone into making an important decision. 

Because God is omniscient, he knows all our problems, as well as who belongs to him, and who has opened his ears to hear the message. Therefore, God will never fail to speak to a heart. A person who claims to be saved but leaves church on Sunday, after hearing the sermon, without any guidance is not a true disciple of the Teacher, since he does not listen to the Most High. Even before we ask God for a solution to our troubles, he shows us a way out. All we need to do is pay attention to what the Holy Spirit is saying.

What makes you a disciple of the Lord is to abide in him and to have his words abide in you (John 15.7). This instruction came straight out from Jesus’ lips, so it is 100% right on. It is useless to desire to be something God did not intend for you to be. And, to fix any deficiency, there is only one way: to receive guidance from the Word, which generates faith (Romans 10.17). However, be careful at the fact that instructions that come from God are different from those that people claim to have. He who is a true disciple of Jesus hears his voice.

When his sheep hear his voice, they follow him; but there will always be a few rebel ones that will stray from the path. On the other hand, if they do follow him, they will find out that the Shepherd leads them in green pastures (Psalm 23.2). Their soul is restored by the Water of Life and their problems are solved. Believe in this: those who listen to what God tells them are not subject to Satan’s attacks.

Examine yourself and find out if you have lived well or badly. He who does not hear the voice of the good Shepherd does not receive solution from God, it does not matter how much prayer or fasting is done. Those in rebellion will not advance, because they will abandon faith. Regardless of what kind of evil is afflicting you, seek to hear the Father, because he talks to his children. The Bible says: draw near to God and He will draw near to you (James 4.8).

There is interaction between the Most High and his sheep. He speaks and they hear his voice, they obey him. It would be great if everyone acted as Jesus’ sheep—mankind’s troubles would be over. Today, for the glory of God, you have understood the need to become a sheep of the Lord’s flock.

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares