Message
There is great danger in hardening one’s heart to the word of God. In , the Bible says, “He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches…” In today's world, many people are unwilling to listen to God’s word, especially when it condemns their wrongdoings. They mock and neglect genuine men of God and despise God’s ordinances. They are usually found in churches where sin is not condemned and where ungodly doctrines are taught. The Bible tells us that such people are at risk of eternal damnation if they refuse to heed His word ().
Many professing Christians pick only what favours them from God’s word. However, what they do not know is that they cannot experience the fullness of God when they choose only what they want to hear from Him. In fact, many times, the things that position us for God’s blessings are the things we do not want to hear or experience. It was the shame and the cross that positioned Jesus for glory (). Also, in Joseph’s case, it was the pit and the prison that positioned him for the palace.
tells us that the word of God is “quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow…” God’s word convicts; it does not condemn. Whenever a fellow hears God’s word and it pierces through his or her heart, such a person should not get offended. Instead, he or she should see it as an opportunity to be corrected and transformed.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
In the Scripture above, Peter preached the gospel of Jesus Christ to some people in Jerusalem, and they were convicted in their hearts. Following their conviction, they became saved and were baptised (). Beloved, when you hear God’s word, do not harden your heart. Let His word convict, correct, and instruct you so that you will be thoroughly furnished unto all good works ().