John 8:47

Those who are God’s children both hear and heed what He says – they put His Words into action by cloaking them in the skin of flesh - fueled by the precious Holy Spirit. In confronting these unbelieving Pharisees, Jesus here speaks of His teachings as being the very Word of God and rightly so. Later in John, in a similar manner, we find Jesus responding to His Jewish hearers question inquiring if He were indeed the Christ:

25 Jesus answered, "I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father's name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. 30 I and the Father are one." John 10:25-30 (NIV)

True sheep of the Shepherd both hear and heed His Words proving themselves to be children of God. God the Father commissioned Jesus to proclaim His Words and Truths to mankind – they were not only God’s Words but Jesus’ as well. Being deaf and dead to the Word of God is evidence of not belonging to God. Scripture tells us the Word of the Kingdom of God must bring forth fruit – if not, the blame certainly does not point to the Seed, rather to the poor soil upon which it falls.

“There is no surer mark of an unsanctified nature than dislike to God’s Word.” Rollock

I am reminded of Jesus’ closing Words in the Sermon on the Mount confirming this Truth:

24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash." 28 When Jesus had finished saying these things, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, 29 because he taught as one who had authority, and not as their teachers of the law. Matt 7:24-29 (NIV)

Jesus taught the indispensable necessity of obedience to His commands – both for our good and for His glory. No outward profession - however remarkable – will bring us to heaven without the corresponding conduct. Those who do not go any further than a mere profession, Jesus does not accept nor will He acknowledge on that great day.

21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' 23 Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!' Matt 7:21-23 (NIV)

“Be not only attentive in hearing, but retentive after hearing.” Thomas Watson
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“At God’s bar, a profession of religion will not bear out any man in the practice and indulgence of sin; therefore let every one who names the name of Christ, depart from all iniquity.” Matthew Henry

It would behoove us to remember that the demons were the first to announce Jesus’ identity when He walked upon this earth. They knew exactly who Jesus was yet certainly did not place their faith in him. In fact, James tells us that they believed and trembled – showed emotion - yet remain unchanged. Indeed, in James’s discourse of deeds he states the following Truth:

18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. James 2:18-23 (NIV)

If our walk isn’t matching our talk - or at the very least a desire for it to - perhaps there is something askew in our way of thinking. At best we are either confused or at worst, hypocrites like these Pharisees, convincing ourselves of our righteousness yet all the while remaining in a wrong standing before a Holy God. We must consider, therefore, how we walk. We must not be misled; a true faith will produce fruit in keeping with repentance. If our lives are without fruit we must question if our lives are without faith. It is to our Father’s glory that we bear much fruit showing ourselves to be His disciples. Scripture tells us:

6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)

39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved. Heb 10:39 (NIV)

35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Heb 10:35-36 (NIV)