Hearers

Hearers, but Not Doers. — - Beware of being like John Bunyan’s trees that were green outside, but inwardly rotten, and only fit to be tinder for the devil’s tinder-box. Oh “beware of saying as some of you do, “I go, sir,” while you go not. I sometimes see sick people who quite alarm and distress me. I say to them, “My dear friend, you are dying; have you a hope?” There is no answer. “Do you know your lost state?” “Yes, sir.” “Christ died for sinners.” “Yes, sir.” “Faith gives us of his grace.” “Yes, sir.” They say, “Yes, sir; yes, sir; yes, sir; yes, sir; yes, sir.” I sometimes wish before God they would contradict me, for if they would but have honesty enough to say, “I do not believe a word of it,” I should know how to deal with them. Stubborn oaks are levelled by the gale, but those who bend like the willow before every wind, what wind shall break them? Oh, dear brethren, beware of being gospel-hardened; or what is the same thing, softened but for a season. Beware of being a promising hearer of the word, and nothing more!

Personal Application of Truth. — A minister once sent his deacon to attend a certain anniversary service. The discourse turned upon Diotrephes, who loved the pre eminence. The deacon’s character was aptly described. He did not, however, agree with the preacher. He was himself a Diotrephes, though he failed to detect his own portrait; or at least, with apparent indifference, he asked a friend of his if he supposed there were such persons existing as those who had been described in the discourse?

“I cannot think,” said he, “who the preacher could have been aiming at?” So his friend said, “Well, I think he must have been intending you and me.” No better answer could have been given. I like each hearer to make the application to himself.

Deaf Hearers. — Many years ago a friend said that he could not hear me preach. I said to him, “Buy a horn.” “No,” he said, “it is not your voice; I can hear that, but I don’t enjoy it.” My reply was: “Perhaps that is my fault, but I am far from sure that it is not your own.” I fear, in such cases, it is quite as often the hearer’s fault as the preacher’s fault. At any rate, when others profit, and our judgment approves, tho our hearts find no refreshment, there is reason to suspect that in the dulness of our senses we are compelled to bear chastisement for our unblief. You go where others go, and find no solace. You hear what edifies and comforts them; but there is no cheer for you. You are deaf; your ears are closed to what the Lord says.