Living-Walk - Pure and Simple Christianity for the Rest of Us?

John 10:1-5 - Most assuredly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door, but climbs up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the doorkeeper opens, and the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. And when he brings out his own sheep, he goes before them; and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice. Yet they will by no means follow a stranger, but will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.

Following our Lord requires that we know and hear His voice. It is a distinct voice, unlike any other, and the very survival of the sheep depends on them recognizing it as the true voice of the Shepherd. Notice that it is His voice mentioned here, and not His words, or what he says. Certainly what our Lord says is essential, but we begin by identifying that it is He who is communicating with us; that it is indeed, His voice.

Recognition and familiarity comes with spending time together. Friends who fellowship together on a routine basis are readily able to recognize each others voice immediately. The telephone rings, and even before the caller says, “ It is ____”, we know who it is, merely by their voice. Children, from the earliest stage of life recognize the mother’s voice, perhaps even from within the womb itself. And there are many examples in nature where even the dumbest creatures are able to survive because they recognize the voice of the mother or father calling them to safety.

Recall the incident of the lad Samuel, who was awakened by the voice of the Lord, yet he wrongly assumed it was his master Eli. After a few times, Eli directed him to listen for it was the indeed the Lord, and to respond "Speak, for Your servant hears."

The lesson for us here is that it does take time and exposure to recognize our Lord’s voice. Yet, from that point on, Samuel came to know the voice of his Lord and God, and he ultimately proved faithful in carrying out everything spoken to him.

There is also the account of Mary at the Master's tomb in John 20, which reads...

But Mary stood outside by the tomb weeping, and as she wept she stooped down and looked into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white sitting, one at the head and the other at the feet, where the body of Jesus had lain. Then they said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping?"

She said to them, "Because they have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid Him."

Now when she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, and did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, "Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?"

She, supposing Him to be the gardener, said to Him, "Sir, if You have carried Him away, tell me where You have laid Him, and I will take Him away."

Jesus said to her, "Mary!"

She turned and said to Him,[a] "Rabboni!" (which is to say, Teacher).

Note the fact that it was only until our Lord spoke her name, did she recognize immediately that it was Him. There was no doubt. Even her grief could not mask the fact of His identity.

The question presents itself to us then: Are we able to recognize the voice of our Shepherd when He calls to us? Of all the voices in our world, both human and otherwise, calling us to do this or do that, are we able to discern the one voice that is calling us to freedom, to service, and to spiritual vitality?

The Spirit of truth affirms that God, the Logos, is communicating to us; yet we are instructed to test all spirits, as the deceiver can also communicate (see Eve in the garden). Jesus said the sheep would know and hear His voice. A helpful principle regarding greater revelation from God, is that He doesn't ever provide it apart from Himself. Only as we venture deeper into His heart and holiness through surrendering faith and obedience, will we start to hear from him in the ways we all desire and need.

My own personal experience is that His voice is deep, and still and that you know that it is Him and no other. I wish I could explain it in words but I cannot. Just as with a human being, the voice of our Lord is distinct and recognizable. He speaks directly to the heart of His friends, just as He promised when He left this earth. Recall, that He said that it is better that He goes away. Yes, the original twelve heard and knew His audible voice, but we too can hear Him, deep down where spirit meets spirit, at the very center of our being.

My friends, expect to hear His voice. When you pray is it you who does most of the talking? Be still! Be silent! After you ask Father a question, expect that He will answer; What father wouldn't respond accordingly to his beloved child?

You will know if it is Him, not only by what he says, but by His voice, which is unlike any other. And please do not confuse this with some empty mysticism, or psycho-spiritual experience involving inner voices, urges or impulses. Like every pure and perfect thing the devil and his world has their counterfeits.

This will only make sense to those breathed on by the spirit. If you are not, then you will hear many voices, and nothing will be discernible. Confusion will result. You will become one of those religious crazies who go around saying that God told them something that every child of God knows He would never say.

The Lord's voice instills peace and direction. It settles us, and chastens us at times. It never ever confounds the truth of Scripture, because He inspired every word and thought found there. If the voice directs you in ways or concepts that defy the revealed Word, then it is a false voice and to be rejected entirely. My sense is that, over time, you will know that such voices are false, almost immediately. Jesus promised this.

The evil one can do impressions, but children born of the spirit will recognize his vain impersonations.

Our Lord’s voice is truth, and power, and love; it is sharp and often cuts deep into the place where idols sit proudly on a stolen throne. It fills us, and sometimes consumes us. There are many places in the Scriptures where mere mortals have been undone by the voice of the Almighty. It is the only voice in the created universe that truly matters. Let us be deaf to all others so that we may hear Him, and recognize Him, and respond with trusting obedience and service.

Please pray for us here at Living-Walk, that we would watch and see the Master at work, and understand what He would have us do.