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“…the sheep (disciples) follow him (Jesus), for THEY HEAR HIS VOICE. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers…MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:1- 5, 27, emphasis mine).
Can a person walk with Christ Jesus without having a relationship with Him? Can they walk together without an agreement (Amos 3:3)? Can their relationship last and be effective without communication?
The answer to these questions is a resounding no. Having a relationship, coming into an agreement and ensuring effective communication are important factors for two to walk together.
Communication is vital in every relationship including the relationship that exists between a Christian and God. Effective communication is the process of creating a shared meaning.
This, in the context, means that both God and His child, the disciple of Christ, must hear and understand each other when they speak. Christians usually speak to God through prayer whereas God often speaks to us through His written Word, dream, vision, or to our heart.
Communication between God and a Christian will be ineffective if the latter fails to hear the former’s voice. This makes a believer’s ability to hear Christ Jesus’ voice a greater blessing.
There is no doubt that a Christian’s ability to do the will of God largely depends on his willingness and ability to hear the voice of Christ and follow Him.
Many claim to be disciples of Jesus Christ, but they are unable to hear His voice. This is a strange situation which must be checked.
Loyal Christians always learn to hear the voice of the Master. The Lord Jesus has a voice which His true followers enthusiastically hear and gladly obey.
“…the sheep (disciples) follow him (Jesus), for THEY HEAR HIS VOICE. A stranger they will not follow, but they will flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers…MY SHEEP HEAR MY VOICE, and I know them, and they follow me” (John 10:1- 5, 27, emphasis mine).
It is not difficult for many people to claim to be servants of Jesus Christ. They may plant churches and serve as ministers of the gospel. They may be known all over the place, but they cannot hide their true identity from God.
A person who claims to know the King, but refuses to hear and obey His voice is a deceiver and hypocrite. Such a person is a liar and if he is a liar, then he is of the devil.
Jesus Christ has a voice, and His true disciples are able to identify that voice to take instructions from Him.
Our Lord is not only aware that His true children hear His voice, but He Himself knows them as they obediently follow Him, doing what He did, preaching what He preached, teaching what He taught, healing diseases and sicknesses that He healed without charging fees or collecting money.
The voice of Christ Jesus refers to the words of Christ. It may refer to the commands and promises the Lord gives to His servants and the Church as a whole.
Everyone, therefore, who is called to walk with God, especially those placed in the fivefold ministry offices of the Church, must hear the voice of our great Lord.
By James Quansah
