Hear

Revelation 1:3 “Blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written therein.” RSV

            Just as God does not speak without results, so in Biblical thought, man does not truly hear without keeping, or observing, what has been heard.  To “keep” that which was heard requires an appropriate response.  In Biblical communication, if the response is lacking, one has not completed the act of hearing.

            The hearing of the ears initiates a challenge to the will.  The will then must either assent or dissent.  To assent is to accept or comply passively.  This is the first step toward “keeping” or “doing” the Word.  However, according to opportunity there must also be, not only the readiness to will, but also a performance of the deeds.  Only with the performance is the act of “hearing” complete.  The great shema to Israel was not only an admonition to “hear” but also to “do”: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God.”  (Deut. 6:4)

            The controversy concerning faith versus works is due to the lack of understanding amongst the Christians from gentile backgrounds of the Biblical meaning of “hearing.”  James taught the true sense of the word declaring that “…faith without works is dead.” (James 2:26).  And: “Be ye doers of the word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”  (James 1:22).