FREELOADER OR SON
Two kinds of people occupy the seats
of the church’s meeting place. There are passengers, opportunists, and
free-loaders, or beloved, blood-bought children of God. Those who come to get,
sit tight in their chairs, hearing but listening to nothing. Others come to
give… love, care, and support for their fellow believers.
Jesus describes the freeloader…
Mark 4:11-12 NLT
[11] “But I use parables for everything I say to outsiders, [12] so that
the Scriptures might be fulfilled: ‘When they see what I do, they will learn
nothing. When they hear what I say, they will not understand. Otherwise, they
will turn to me and be forgiven.’ ”…
and warns the hearer,
[24] Then he added, “Pay close attention to what you hear. The closer you
listen, the more understanding you will be given—and you will receive even
more. [25] To those who listen to my teaching, more understanding will be
given. But for those who are not listening, even what little understanding they
have will be taken away from them.”
This is a serious warning to every person who hears the Word preached, Sunday
by Sunday.
James 1:22-25 NLT
[22] But don’t just listen to God’s word. You must do what it says. Otherwise,
you are only fooling yourselves. [23] For if you listen to the word and don’t
obey, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. [24] You see yourself, walk
away, and forget what you look like. [25] But if you look carefully into the
perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don’t forget
what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it.”
We must decide whether we are in this for the ride or whether we are in this
for the prize.
PRAYER
Thank you, Father, for the power of your Word. You promised that your Word will
never be unproductive because you send it out to accomplish your will, even to
harden the hearts of those who refuse to listen to you.
Father, please help me never to be an unproductive hearer. What you have spoken
is my hope for the future. Give me listening ears and an attentive heart so
that I may also be one who does your will with patience and perseverance.