Oddly Enough . . .

                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              
                                                                                                                                                              

Oddly enough...as I've been recently pondering what it means to be a "Christian blogger"...it seems the majority of people find it strange (indeed, alarming) that anyone would say, "I hear God speak."

That's probably understandable from secular people.  From what I've heard them say or write, most thoroughgoing secularists are pretty skeptical that God (if He really exists) actually says anything to human beings.  Even casual unbelievers somewhat aware the Bible is supposed to be God's word (including many average "church-goers"), don't really believe God has anything to say that is personally and universally relevant, immediate, and powerful.

The fact is most people, professed atheists as well as professed Christians, really don't believe God's word is a living word to human beings.

So neither group is comfortable hearing that God's word is so alive it can be heard, in or out of the scriptures, by anyone who will listen for it.  Hardcore secularists find that idea nonsense: indeed, evidence of mental defect.  Their unbelieving cousins in the church probably think it theoretically possible: but really only possible for, and really only the business of, missionaries and preachers...the professionals.

And it's not rare that church-goers, clergy and laypeople, react with anger as well as skepticism to anyone saying "I hear God speak."  Saying so is often considered hubris, and the natural reaction is  "who do you think you are !?!"  (Jesus got this unbelieving reaction from the people of his home-town when He taught there, Mark 6:1-5.)  The corollary thought...man being the jealously self-interested creature he is...is "do you you think you're better than we are !?!? "

It's a very natural, and completely wrong, reaction.  Hearing from God has nothing to do with hubris.  Indeed, the proud are the very people who will not hear from God (by their choice): He says He is far from the proud...He says He gives grace only to the humble (James 4:6, I Peter 5:5).

If this were more than a quick lunchtime post, I'd search out, and ponder, and write about the scriptures where God says His people, all His people, should hear His voice, and should expect to hear His voice.  I'd quote all the scriptures that tell us hearing God should be our standard, ordinary, walk with Him, daily, and hourly.

I don't right now have the time or tools for that kind of in-depth study: and hope the reader will.  Suffice it to say, it is the Bible's teaching that we should all hear God speak to us (and if the reader disagrees, all the more reason to minutely search the scriptures on this question...and please correct me if I've misstated God's command).

So I say, I hear God speak.

Unbelieving secularists can take that as evidence of mental instability: unbelieving "Christians" are welcome to take it as vaunting pride.  Their reactions say more about where their heart is than about mine.

Saying I hear from God is my affirmation that God tells His people to listen to Him; so I do.  God says those who listen will hear Him.  I affirm that what God says is so in my experience.  I affirm that God is true to His word

I hear God speak.  I affirm that all who love God will obey Him, and all who obey Him will hear Him.