Hearing His Voice

"But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand." - John 10:26-28

Watching the dogs. I was sitting on the back patio this morning - thinking - drinking a cup of Joe. I heard a neighborhood dog barking and before long our daughter's dog, Honey, chimed in. How do dogs know that sound they are hearing is another dog barking? Honey doesn't bark when birds sing or other animals make noises.  It must be that there is something wired in their canine brains that causes them to recognize the sound. And then my synapses started sparking and I remember what Jesus said in John 10.  

There are basically four types of people in this world; intellectuals, not-so intellectuals, religious, and Christians. Intellectuals live by reason. If they can't prove it, then they cannot - will not believe it. They are atheists (there is no God) or agnostics (does not believe or disbelieve). In their superior world, they mock anyone who would claim to live by faith. Consider them weak and gullible. They cannot hear Jesus' voice and don't want to convinced that there Jesus does not exist. Their god is their intellect. They are lost and bound for hell. 

"For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. Professing to be wise, they became fools, and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man" - Romans 1:20-23

There is, for lack of a better term,  the not-so intellectuals. People who are just living life and don't have time for religion or "deep thought". They may tolerate religious people, but are not all that interested in associating with them. There might be a God but wouldn't give Him the time of day. Their god is their appetite for the things of this world. They cannot hear Jesus' voice, are lost and bound for hell. 

There are religious people. They believe that there is something beyond them. Something other worldly. They may even acknowledge Jehovah God, but reject the idea of Jesus, the Son of God. There are a multitude of religions that seek to answer the questions about the distinction of humans over other animals, the sense that there is something above and beyond this life. They cannot hear Jesus' voice, are lost and bound for hell. 

"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse" - Romans 1:18-20

And then there are Christians. They are people that used to be in one of those other three groups. 

"Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God.  And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-11

But we have been washed, sanctified, and justified by faith. So if we could not hear Jesus' voice before - what happened? In a manner of speaking, like Paul on the road to Damascus, we met Jesus along the way. The Spirit of God stirred within our hearts and we suddenly knew. We can hear His voice, are saved and bound for heaven.

"He [Jesus] said to them, 'But who do you say that I am?'  Simon Peter answered and said, 'You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.' Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.'" - Matthew 16:15-17

It is not possible for the lost to understand spiritual truth - the Spirit must reveal it to them and they must be willing to yield to that truth by faith. There are so many verses rolling across my mind's eye right now, but I will refrain from sharing them here.  God's hope would be that none would be lost but He, in His wisdom, has given us a free will to choose. Most will choose poorly. It breaks His heart and should break yours. Like watching your own child going their own way to their harm - unwilling to hear your voice and heed your call to go another way. I am so thankful that I can hear His voice.

"I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses... And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other, has ever, known!" - In The Garden,  Austin Miles  

All of this just because  a dog barked.

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone