Not Much of An Impression

Not Much of an Impression

“There are…many who often hear the gospel of Christ and are little affected by it because they lack the Spirit of Christ.” [Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, I.1.2]

Is it possible to overhear the gospel? Is it possible for the Word of God and the good news of Jesus to have little impact on those of us who hear it the most? Is it possible to be so familiar with the words of the gospel and miss the Spirit of it all?

I have noticed the dulling effect that advertising has on me. After seeing the same commercial over and over, it loses its impact. I know all of the arguments that are made in favor of subliminal, subconscious imprinting. But on the other hand, we can become so familiar with something that we no longer pay attention.

A spouse’s words of communication, the whining of a child, the beeping of a machine in the hospital, the continual ringing of an office phone, harping of a boss for project deadlines, etc.--we could add to the list.

Worst of all is the actual hearing of the gospel of Christ over and over with not much of an impression left on us. We need to hear afresh, anew and again. It is not so much an overhearing as it is an “under-hearing.” It is impossible to hear all that God intends for us in the Good News if we lack the Spirit of Christ. This is what Thomas a Kempis reminds us of.

What does it mean to “lack the Spirit of Christ”? The attitude, intention, openness and humility before God are lacking. We do not expect to be “affected” by the word of the Good News and the inner working of the Spirit, and consequently nothing is ever “effected” in our lives.

How much impression does my hearing of the Word every day really affect me? Does God use it to impress my heart, shaping and molding it to the image of Christ?

Just think of how many things we hear that do not make much of an impression on us. May it never be said of us that we have allowed the same thing to happen with regards to the Good News. May that Good News allows be vital and new! May that Good News be allowed to daily replace the bad. May that Good News be received with the Spirit of Christ.

Take advantage every day, every week of the opportunities to hear the gospel of Christ with new ears and clean hearts and sound minds. With the heart and Spirit of Christ we will be impressed for eternity.

In Christian love, Curtis