Next Sunday begins our Gospel Meeting. Brother B.J. Clarke will be with us from the Memphis School of Preaching in Memphis, Tennessee. The theme of this year’s meeting is “The Faith That Saves.” Each lesson will examine a different aspect of saving faith, such as how saving faith admits, submits, trusts, obeys, is the only faith, and diligently seeks God. While these lessons will certainly be valuable to those who may not be members of the Lord’s body, Brother Clarke’s lessons will also be valuable to those of us who already have a saving faith. As we listen to Brother Clarke’s lessons (or any lesson for that matter), may we always look for where and how it is we can continue to grow and strengthen our faith.
As we prepare for the lessons at the Gospel Meeting, let us first prepare ourselves. Before any study of God’s word, be it in worship, class, or private study, we should always come to the table ready to learn without allowing any preconceived notions or ideas to cloud our view. For example, we might already have an idea of what faith is, but it is possible that our understanding of faith might be challenged. We need to ready ourselves to learn from God’s word – even if we think we already know the subject being taught. This type of readiness requires humility. To ready ourselves to learn, we must readily admit that we might not have it all figured out and that there is still room for growth in our lives. If we maintain humility in our studies, we will begin to receive God’s word in the right manner. We will not grow defensive or get angry when we find that we have not been living right, but instead, we will humbly respond and submit to God’s will. James urges his readers to “be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God” (Jas. 1:19-20, NKJV). Many times, these particular verses are applied to how we so often speak and react without actually listening. The context of the passage, however, is speaking of our approach toward listening to God’s word. This is why James goes on to say, “Therefore, lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls” (Jas. 1:21). The point James is making is that if we wish to be saved, we need to learn how to humbly and meekly listen to God’s word to find the areas in which we need to continually grow and improve.
Whether it is a series of lessons in a Gospel Meeting, a lesson on baptism, or a class on Ezekiel, may we always approach God’s word ready to listen. Jesus often said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” (Matt. 11:15; 13:9; 13:43; etc.). The reason Jesus often encouraged his listeners to actually listen is because when we listen, we will learn. May we always come before the word of God ready to listen and ready to do what is necessary to maintain a right relationship with our God.
By Preston McElyea