Ears to Hear

Not everyone may enter into communion with God.  This is a fundamental and thoroughly biblical truth.  However, it can be difficult to stomach that the natural man is utterly unable to choose the things of God.  In fact, the natural, fleshly man is absolutely opposed to God.  It is not for poeticism that Jesus continually concludes His teachings with the phrase, "he who has ears to hear, let him hear".  The implication is that not everyone has ears to hear, and/or that not every one who can hear, does.

The reality is that the unregenerate, unrepentant person is utterly unable to please God and is totally incapable of communion with God (Rom. 8:7-8; 1 Cor. 1:18, 2:14).  The ways of God totally befuddle the wisest of men when the men are not fearing of God and His holiness.  God is totally unimpressed with the any of man's righteousness.  The righteousness of man is worthless to God (Isa. 64:6).

Again, the natural man is opposed to the Spirit of God.  Only through God's divine prompting can anyone choose God.  Because of this, no man has any merit to boast of.  It is in fact God who causes believers to "choose" Him.  Apart from His regeneration of our hearts, minds, etc. we are not able to choose Him.  This makes sense.

If we knew about the God and His holiness, truly realized the greatness of His character and righteousness, then we would not but give ourselves absolutely to Him.  The simple fact that we do not commit ourselves to Him is evidence that we do not know Him.  This phenomenon is seen most clearly in new believers.  Once they are shown who God really is, they only want Him.  There is a zeal for God that is stirred once the nature of God is revealed to man.  This is what is meant by Total Depravity, one of the major tenets of reformational theology, particularly Calvinism.

Total Depravity does not mean that man is so entrenched in sin that we are as bad as we could possibly be.  Rather, Total Depravity states that sin has so permeated every faculty and crevice of man's being that apart from God's supreme prompting and divine election, man is altogether powerless to desire, let alone choose, God.  But thanks be to God for creating in us a heart for His grace and for His will!

This basic theological truth has major implications in many areas of life.  In evangelism, it means that no matter how compelling the gospel is presented, some people will not and can not choose Christ.  Practically speaking, if you can choose God, why wouldn't you?  What a gift for God to allow us to know Him by the power of His grace.

If we have been given a glimpse into the character of God in His holiness and mercy, we should unceasingly pursue Him.  If you have seen a glimpse of Christ, seek it.  And thanks be to God for His divine election that causes any and all regeneration by grace through faith!   Thanks be to Him and Him alone for the gift of salvation and for giving us the opportunity to commune with the Lord!