How God Speaks to Us

See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: (Hebrews 12:25)

I heard about a little boy who was not getting good grades in school because he had not been paying attention to his teacher. One day, his teacher sent a note home for his parents about his conduct and his grades. The next day, he came up to the teacher and said, “I don’t want to scare you, but my dad told me last night that if I don’t start getting better grades somebody’s going to get a spanking!” That kid needs a dunce cap. The teacher is not the problem. Bad things happen when we do not pay attention. I do not know how many times someone has sat in my office who was desperately seeking help, and I heard them say, “I wish I had listened.” This concept of listening is not just hearing; the idea is listening with the full intention of heeding what is said. God will speak to you through four distinct ways. Today, we will discuss the first one:

God speaks to us through Jesus’ blood. The alternative to listening is refusing to hear. That is what the children of Israel did at Mount Sinai. They asked for God to speak to Moses because they did not want to hear His voice. The warning here is very stern. If we refuse to heed God when He speaks to our hearts, as he calls us and challenges us to this matter of growth and maturity and perfection, then we are treading on very dangerous ground.

You and I must not refuse the One who shed His blood on Calvary’s cross for our sins. Today, when Jesus speaks to you, He speaks with nail prints in His hands and feet. He speaks with the marks from the crown of thorns in His brow. He speaks with the wound in His side. I can imagine Him saying, “Why would you refuse Me? After all I have done for you, why would you turn your back on Me? Why would you quit My will? Why would you quit My work? Why would you quit My way? Why would you go into the world after all I have done for you? My blood was shed for you! Can you not then live for Me?”

When we refuse to listen to the voice of our Saviour, we are refusing the Saviour who shed His precious blood for our sins. I have known some people who said they were Christians, but they appeared to be content with simply having a fire insurance policy against going to Hell. They do not read the Bible or go out soul winning or spend time serving God. They are having a good time in the world and living it up, but I want to tell you that there is a judgment day coming. Such people may be backslidden believers, or they may not be saved at all. Jesus issued a solemn warning to us in the Sermon on the Mount regarding people who think they are saved but do not truly have a personal relationship with Him.

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:21-23)

There are so many blessings that come along with our salvation as we serve the Lord. We experience spiritual growth and development, a personal walk with God, answers to prayer, the opportunity to see our lives used, and the joy of being a blessing to others. All of those blessings are forfeited when we walk away, because we refuse to listen to the Teacher who speaks to us through His blood.

Next week, we will continue on this topic of “God is speaking…are you listening?” We will discuss the second of four distinct ways God will speak to you. Listen…do you hear Him today?