Tag Archives: deaf

Christian, Inspirational

Mercy Me

Why are some people deaf to the truth? Romans 10:17 KJV says, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. This is a clear answer, but it raises additional questions. In fact, it makes me think about predestination and the mercy of God.

Because of the mercy of God I was raised in a Church that understood baptism. Baptism is a matter of salvation, it’s not just for show. It cleanses our past sins and brings us into the family of God.

The Lord was merciful to me. I was baptized at age 12. But nearly that very same week I fell back into sin. I continued being addicted to porn for over thirty years. Around 18, I acquired an additional addiction in the form of smoking cigarettes. During much of this period I still attended Church on a regular to sporadic basis. In a long process that began with a healthy fear of the Lord, I started reading the Holy Bible. With Jesus help I broke free of my addictions. I have finally became a born again Christian.

Am I saying I’m predestined for Heaven. I hope so. What I can say is that the Lord has been merciful and long suffering for me. He watched over me all those years of living in sin and not even attending Church at all. He led me to him through opening my understanding while reading his Holy Bible KJV. He gave me the strength to confess my sins. I confessed to the Church, to the police, and even to family and friends. He has been true to his word in 1 John 1:9, which offers forgiveness after water baptism. There is hope if we trust in the Lord. He will help us overcome our sin. As Jesus said in John 8:32 KJV, And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

Is there anything we can do to open the ears of the deaf? I don’t know. I think it is up to the Lord. Is predestination the answer then? Maybe. Some are predestined for eternal salvation in Heaven while others are predestined for eternal damnation in Hell.

However, I wouldn’t us this as an excuse to give up, an excuse to continue in your sin. He has given us freewill and until the day I die I will follow the Lord striving against sin and attempting to walk in the light.

Besides, predestination is largely a POV, point of view. God already knows where we are going and what we will do. He is omniscient or all knowing, but we live in time. Redeem the time. Pray to the Lord to open your ears and your understanding. And that he will grant you the mercy and strength to walk in the light.

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Christian

Earwax and Cataracts

Matthew 13:12-15 KJV For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance: but whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath. [13] Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. [14] And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: [15] For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them.

I have often wondered what makes some people deaf to all or even part of the word of God. I have conjectured that it requires increased faith to increase knowledge. Being baptized, one is introduced to the family of God. Are some deaf to the truth because they have not yet been baptized? Perhaps being part of the family of God clears ears and open eyes. Honestly though, one must have a certain amount of faith and understanding just to be baptized. The baptizee must repent of their sins and know Jesus is the Christ.

From my own experience it seems that there are levels of truth that people can accept. For example, the Church of Christ can accept nine of the Ten Commandments, but they can’t accept the Sabbath law. They can accept miracles then, but not now, despite the promises in James.

Jesus said in John 8:47 KJV, He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.

What then if they hear some of God’s word, but not all of it. It is a dangerous and precarious position. Indeed, even what you have may be taken away. I believe this is the cause of much of the strange doctrine out there. Rather than growing in faith and understanding these once true believers are drawn aside to half truths and whims of fancy rather than the God given knowledge they once possessed.

Romans 10:17 KJV says, So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

If you hear the word of God, take it to heart. Pray for faith. Pray also for wisdom and understanding. Be careful both to hear and do the Word, lest what you have is taken away.

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Christian, Inspirational

Denominational Deafness

I am of the opinion that most people, like myself, attend church based on parental influence. It’s hard to leave a group you’ve known since childhood. The Church of Christ I attend is given over to denominational deafness. They are no different than thousands of other churches. At the base level I think people pay for what they like to hear, comfortable words.

When people would not hear Jesus, he bluntly told them they could not hear because their father was the Devil. He said, if your father were God, you would hear me. John 8:43-47. I am not Jesus to say this of someone, but I wonder greatly. If a person is partially deaf to the truth, does that show they have given room to the Devil? What level of deafness can cause loss of salvation?

The following ways to fight deafness are crucial.

Question the actions that occur at your denomination. Are they biblical? Is their scriptural interpretation accurate?

There are only two ways that I know of to answer these questions. Study and prayer. Read the Holy Bible on your own and pray for wisdom that you may understand it.

Acts 17:11 KJV … they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

James 1:5 KJV If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

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