FAITH CAPSULE: Inability to hear by not listening can be a major denial in answering to God.

Mark 10:17-31

God has called many, but the problem of not answering is the demonstration of not being able to listen. Many times, sounds in the distance or around can be passing through and not register to the hearer. Evidently, the hearer is not listening because of lack of attention. The problem of inability to hear by not listening can be a major denial in answering to God when He calls or when He gives direction. Remember the rich young ruler? A case of not answering is encased in the story of the rich young ruler.

The rich young ruler had a lot of wealth and he wanted to follow Jesus. Having inquired from Jesus the steps that needed to be taken in order to follow Him, Jesus responded, “…One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” (Mark 10:21)  The rich young man heard the calling, but could not answer. Answering God’s calling is not in following the crowd around Him. Answering God is in keeping His commands. Keeping the commands of God is not possible until a believer starts living it. The rich young ruler claimed to have kept the commandments from youth, but the commands could not make him give up all his wealth and take up the cross. It is one thing to claim to be a believer and it is another to be-living (believe) in the command of God. Jesus pointed out to him the need to do the following: sell all, give to the poor to build up treasure in heaven, taking up his cross, and following Jesus. “But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” (Mark 10:22) The rich young man could not answer God’s calling. It takes the grace of God to answer when God calls.

Are you struggling with His calling? Man has never been in control of time but rather God is and that is why answering the command is now. In every struggle to answer, there is a need to pray for His intervention in breaking whatever is denying answering his calling.
The rich young ruler wanted to know Jesus but did not want to make Him known. Some know about Him and some know Him. It is not enough to know about Jesus until one begins to make Him known. Making Jesus known is very costly because it requires a great deal of love and sacrifice. The kind of love and sacrifice that Abraham demonstrated is the kind that makes Him known in His awesomeness. He made the faithfulness of the Lord God Almighty known when he was able to answer the call to use His one and only son for a sacrificial offering.

Prayer for today: Ask God to deliver you from whatever is denying man to answer God’s calling.