Listen

 DEVOTION

THE ACTS OF THE APOSTLES

LISTEN

Acts 3:17-26

17 "Now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did your leaders. 18 But this is how God fulfilled what he had foretold through all the prophets, saying that his Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. 21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, 'The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'  24 "Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, 'Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.'   26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."

NIV

We looked at this portion and considered the wonderful truth that our sins have been wiped out. There is another truth that we also need to deal with. Peter quoted what Moses said, "The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from his people." Peter was warning the people that if they did not accept Jesus and everything he said, they would not see the kingdom of God, for they would be cut off, separated, and be on the outside without ever being able to get inside. The question before us is whether we listen to everything Jesus said. We have our Bibles, and we read most of them; some aim to read through the Bible in a year. When a believer has used that reading plan for over fifty years, they have read the Bible through fifty times. The question that would still be before them is whether they are listening to everything  Jesus said. If we listen to what Jesus said, our lives will reflect his teaching. There is another thought that Jesus said every word within the complete Bible. That the men who penned the words were inspired, and indeed they were, as all scripture God breathed and is profitable for rebuking, correcting, teaching, and training in righteousness, so that we will be thoroughly equipped for every good work. So then we should not just read the word, but listen to it, invest in it, and digest it so that we not just hear it, but listen. We want God to listen to our prayers, our requests; should we not listen to him? If we do not give an audience to his every word, understanding what he is saying to us, and learning from the mouth of the teacher of all truth, we will be cut off. That is a harsh thought, but it is the truth. Let us listen, let us learn, let us comprehend, let us reflect the words spoken into our hearts. Then we can be assured we will not be cut off.