Hearing And Believing

Earlier, we stated, with special interest in the Advent Narrative, this unchanged fact. God is the One and Only Fruit Giver. We noted most carefully that whether God used heavenly or earthly messengers to bring His Living, Saving Word to people, He was the only One who gives results or fruit.

This undeniable fact still holds true for us today. We are reminded of this in John 15: 5. I am the vine: you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. Additionally, we are told of Father God’s delight in having us bear Jesus’ fruit. This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples. John 15: 8.

I had said that this fruit-giving of God, that of having or producing new converts at the Advent of Immanuel, would be our spirited, zealous and most blessed receiving. People heard and they believed.  But, how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? Romans 10: 14b – 15a. All that is being reinforced, is that it is only in Jesus, that we will know His Living Good News, being pleasing fruit in us.  

We go now, to many decades after the First Advent of Jesus, where we listen to the produce given to Paul, one of the Lord’s earthly messengers. Paul has spread the Word of the Good News of the Gospel to the people of Berea. Therefore many of them believed; also of honourable women which were Greeks, and of men, not a few. Acts 17: 12.

Why did Paul and Silas choose Berea on this mission trip?  How did they come to have such victorious and successful results in Berea? Believe it or not, Berea was never chosen by either Paul or Silas. Berea was the furthest thing from their minds. Berea is a sudden, unexpected and not thought of destination. Yet, Paul and Silas accepted this unplanned for, and unexpected change and were as messengers of God who were ready and prepared for Berea.

You must understand and appreciate that these servants of the Lord have been conscientiously, zealously, fearlessly and faithfully bringing the Gospel, Good News to the people of Thessalonica. However, some of the Jews who were not persuaded by Paul’s words and works, became extremely envious, and started a vicious campaign, against these men of God. They were wild with jealousy and nothing could hold them back, as they resorted to nasty, wicked, satanic ways. Some of the believers, knowing that the lives of these innocent servants of God were in real danger, got Paul and Silas out of the country. And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea. Acts 17: 10a KJV. Indeed, Berea was the quickest and safest place at that moment, the place of refuge for the Lord’s servants.

Here, at this point, I am made to see much more clearly, a fact which I’m sure we all know, but so often live as people ignorant about it. It is a well-known fact, one that is indisputable at that, yet somehow, in unadulterated folly, we try to change it around and make it suit us, whenever we are dead guilty of not showing this fact of truth. Of what am I speaking? To what am I referring? I am referring to Paul and Silas as men of the Holy Spirit. I am referring to human beings, people like you and me, who have given their lives to Christ, to live and serve Him. I am referring to disciples like you and me who claim the total indwelling of the Holy Spirit. If all you know to speak is Gaelic then that is what will come out of your mouth, whether you are happy or sad; strong or weak, well or ill; up or down; afraid or unafraid. The point is that a lamb will be a lamb regardless.

These men are filled with the Holy Spirit and regardless of where they find themselves, they only know the Spirit’s tongue. This is most evident, for even though this time is an unexpected, unplanned for and unthought-of move, they have one tongue and one mind, that of the Holy Spirit. 

So where is this taking us? Unexpectedly, but most assuredly to the Christmas Narrative. We will be challenged, reminded and renewed as we again are brought to face God, Immanuel, and the Advent Story, decided, directed, dictated and delivered by Sovereign God, Himself.  It is here that we will look at what we already know and see what we do not already know, in it.