A HEARER OF THE WORD !

A HEARER OF THE WORD ! In Luke chapter one, we find the classic example of a man who heard a word from God, but did not receive that or did not believe it ! Zacharias and his wife Elizabeth had been desiring a child. In fact, the Bible says they had been praying that they would have a child. But they had not had a child because his wife Elizabeth was barren. Then an angel appeared to him. "And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elizabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice in his birth. For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord. . . And Zacharias said unto the angel, whereby shall I know this ? For I am an old man and my wife well stricken in years." (Luke 1:12 through 18). Allow me to paraphrase. Zacharias said to the angel, "How do I know you are telling the truth ? Give me a sign." He was not willing at that point to receive the word of God without a sign. CONDITIONAL AND UNCONDITIONAL PROMISES ! Just because you say you are saved is no indication that because the promises are in the Bible that they will drop into your life like ripe peaches off of a peach tree. You and I have to call for them ! Some things that God says are conditional. Then some things are unconditional; God declares them, and He will bring them to pass. Did you catch that, God declares or say them and they come to pass. Many of the promises in the new covenant are conditional. But there are some promises God made to Israel, and some promises God made to Abraham which were not conditional. But God established them, and God said in motion exact principle that caused those promises to be fulfilled. When Zacharias answered as he did, the angel replied: "And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to show thee these glad tidings. And, behold, thou shall be dumb, and not able to speak, until the day that these things shall be performed, because thou believe not my words, which shall be fulfilled in their season." (Luke 1:19-20). In other words God knew if He didn't get Zacharias mouth shut up, this wouldn't happen. This was not a conditional promise. For Gabriel said, . . . "My words, which shall be fulfilled in their season." This was to come to pass. No man would stop it.