“It turns out that hearing is believing. It turns out, actually, that to see we first have to hear. But to really hear we have to really listen.”- Jared C. Wilson
Jared Wilson concludes Chapter 4 of The Imperfect Disciple as he reiterates the most powerful discipline for real progress in friendship with God. Listening to him (emphasis Jared’s). Like the rich man in Luke 16:19-31, we assume that seeing is believing. This assumption frustrates us because we want that visual, that miracle.
As a result, when we fail to see things happening we complain about God’s silence. But, Pastor Wilson asserts, as long as we possess the Bible, our claim of God’s silence simply isn’t true. The author explains:
“The primary, most common, and authoritative way God speaks to us is in the Bible. And so we never lack for his voice, his guidance, his instructions, even his very will for our life (1 Thess. 5:16-18).”
Therefore, Jared notes, when we read the Bible we:
- listen to the voice of God
- huddle around a warm fire, a delicious feast, and a flowing fountain of living water all at the same time
Furthermore, Pastor Wilson cites N. T. Wright, who likens reading the New Testament to Jesus giving us the sheet music for a masterwork symphony, while Paul and the other New Testament authors teach the church how to perform it.
In conclusion, Jared adds some final words about the glory of Christ. Jared writes:
“The glory of Christ is actually blaring from the pages of the Bible. God is only not giving you the silent treatment, he is practically yelling. The problem is not with his voice but with our ears.”
Today’s question: What Bible verses strengthen your understanding that hearing is believing? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Sound-bite prayers — we don’t make time to think”
