Hi there, steemit friends, I want to apologize for taking so long to post, but we were having a problem in our area, which left us without telephone and wi-fi connections for some time.
Friends, John 10:27 says, “My sheep know my voice, I know them and they follow me.”
Both knows in this sentence are perfect tense verbs, meaning that the speaker is talking about the past and continuous.
So that Christ already knew, both the existing disciples and all those to come would know His voice, and follow Him.
Let me explain, we know He is speaking beyond the disciples of the day, because if we go back to verses 16 of the same chapter; Joh 10:16 And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.
He speaks of, “other sheep which are not of this fold”, this refers to the outcasts of Israel in Isaiah56:8. Isa 56:8 The Lord GOD which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him.
At the end of verses 16, however, He further states, “and there shall be one fold and one shepherd.” This statement cross-references with Ephesians 2: 11-22.
Let us examine these verses and see that all Christians, disciples or followers was on Jesus’ mind when He stated that all those who belong to Him, would know His voice.
Eph 2:11 Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;
Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
Eph 2:14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
Eph 2:19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
Eph 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 2:21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
Eph 2:22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.
Clearly, in verses 11 we can see that all those not of Israel are referred to as Gentiles, and then in verse 12, it is said that we were without Christ, aliens from the commonwealth of Israel. Any time we see the word alien, it speaks of someone being a foreigner. As strangers, we were without a hope, and the promises which rightfully belong to God’s children.
Let us now examine the turn of events after Christ so willingly gave His life for us. In verse 18, we now have access by the Spirit to the Father, in 19, we are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens of the household of God. So friends, I hope that from the passage above, we can be of the same mind-set, that Jesus’ statement was all-inclusive of believers then and now.
What does Jesus mean, when He says know his voice, in John 19:27? Is He only referring to the Bible, which is His Word, thus His voice? Could it be true that in this present day we as believers could hear God speak to us personally, even if we are not prophets?
Friends, I am living proof that we can hear God for ourselves, I am writing by experience. One of the most beautiful gifts you could ever receive in your Christian walk, is to hear the voice of God for yourself, I dare you to ask God to help you to recognize His voice. Chances are, you are already hearing Him. I don’t know if you have this slang where you are living, but here in our island believers would say, “a mind told me do this or that”. I can assure you, it is no other mind than that of the Holy Spirit’s voice within you, who is able to communicate directly with God.
Have you ever been at cross-roads about a situation, indecisive, or in some dire mess which only God could save you, whether it was deliverance, provision, healing, comforting or any of the other wonderful promises which we have in Christ? Through prayer, an answer or a solution came. Sometimes it is a thought placed in your mind and at other times, you would literally hear that still small voice, which Elijah heard. 1Ki 19:12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
If what you heard was within the will of God, seeing that you can hear self or the enemy, then you know it was God. If we go back to the beginning of creation, perhaps we will have a clearer understanding and appreciation for this very real possibility.
When God created Adam and Eve, they had a pure, sinless and un-spoilt relationship with Him, nothing hindering or barring them from that direct communication with which they were created. In Genesis 3:8 – 13, Adam and Eve not only heard God, but they had a conversation with Him. This was not supposed to be short lived but after the fall, when we examine the old testament of the Bible, one will notice that only select people heard God’s voice after the fall. After Christ’s ascension, the Apostle’s were constantly being guided and directed by the Holy Spirit.
Remember in Genesis3:3, Eve told the serpent, that God said if they eat of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, they would surely die. The serpent or the enemy refuted this claim, and cunningly enticed them into believing that not only would they live, but that their eyes would be opened to know good and evil, in verse 5.
Encapsulated in 1Th 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. is the fact that we are created as tripartite beings, body, soul and spirit. The body being the house for the spirit, the spirit being the spiritual part of ourselves, this being the way God communicates with us, and the soul being the place where emotions exist and decisions are made. The enemy deliberately tricked Adam and Eve into believing that they would become gods, but it wasn’t long before they realized that God was right; not only did they bring physical death on all mankind but spiritual death as well.
The spirit within us became insensitive and dead to God and His will, that is why, those who are unsaved cannot understand the things of God, to them it is foolishness. 1Co 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
When we are saved our spirit is regenerated by the Holy Spirit, 1Pe 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
The Bible says what is born of Spirit is Spirit. Joh 3:6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
If when Adam died the spirit became dead, but when we are saved our spirit is made alive in Christ as this scripture states, 1Co 15:22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive. Well then, shouldn’t we have the same privileges allotted to Adam and Eve before the fall?
Why then is this aspect of our makeup denied by we ourselves? I think this is another scheme of the enemy, to prevent us from living a more powerful life. Can you understand what it would be like to have God lead and direct us through every situation?
Jesus clearly heard His Father every step of His three and a half years of ministry on this earth, we are followers of Christ, that’s where the word Christian comes from, so why does some of us meander aimlessly along the way and put every negative thing down to, “that is life?”
What is clear to me, is that God certainly want to communicate with His children. God is interested in every aspect of our lives, so His communication with us is not just about the kingdom and spiritual matters, He is also concerned about our natural lives.
I’ll share one of my many, many testimonies with you. My brother bought a car for me so that I could take my parents around. I did not realize that he had registered the insurance and the road tax on the vehicle on two separate dates, which is not the norm. It is more likely to be done together, since you cannot have road tax unless your insurance is valid. I knew the due date of the insurance, which was about a month away, and so I had no reason to think that I was driving unlawfully.
One day whilst sitting quietly, the Spirit spoke to me, via a thought in my mind. (Remember, I shared earlier you can either hear by a thought or a voice, both of which I have experiences), go and check your insurance, I dismissed this thought as meaningless since I knew the insurance was not expired, and I no reason to be thinking about my road tax. The remarkable thing is that on the fourth day, when I ceased ignoring the Spirit, I did not go to my bag, where those papers were kept, but I went to the car and check the disc to realize that the road tax had expired, for just the same amount of days that I was being warned.
Isn’t this wonderful? I could have been driving illegally for a whole month, but God not only tried to warn me on the very first day of expiry, but He kept a hedge of protection around me, and shielded me from being reported, because He knew that I was driving ignorant to the fact that I had a problem. If I had been reported and gone to court, do you think the judge would have believed my story, except by divine intervention? I thank God for His wonderful gift.
A person can feel that only the Pastor, Prophet, Bishop, Teacher or Apostle can hear from God, and this theory alone can make you miss your own experience. Friends, I am not trying to mislead you, these chosen men and women must hear from God. I am certainly not trying to promote any kind of demonic teaching, which allows an individual to feel that they no longer need to be a part of a Ministry or Church. I do not care how often you can hear God speak, you need to be a part of the Church, this is Biblical, and be supportive and obedient to your leaders.
God is interested in the whole of you and I and there are times when He will speak about personal matters concerning an individual, but, if you search carefully, you will find the Biblical principle. There is nothing in the Bible that speaks about a car, insurance or road tax, granted, but there is the biblical principle of obedience to the law.
Rom 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 13:2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rom 13:4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom 13:5 Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6 For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God's ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7 Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.
When you read the above passage, you’re enlightened concerning God’s views about those in authority over us, this passage is not just about Ministers of the Kingdom, but also governmental leaders in the earth.
It is my firm belief that God want each believer or Christian to have such a relationship with Him, that we do not miss His voice when He speaks. I share this with you, so that if you have never given it thought, some nugget will inspire you to seek after this wonderful part of you. I will be writing a part two, and if any questions are raised which I can answer I will do my very best to expound. Until then.
Shalom
Starr86