Careful How We Listen

 I was talking with an elderly lady the other day, and as we talked she told me how she was very concerned for her soul. She knew she had but a short number of days on this Earth and wanted to make sure that her soul was ready. I shared the gospel message with her and of the grace and saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. I was distressed because none of it seemed to matter to her because she was of a religion that required a priest to come in and give her the "last rites." She was adamant that she wanted a priest to come and administer "the sacrament." In the facility where she lives priests are not allowed because of the Covid restrictions and she was upset about that as well. 

 I read some verses in the letter to the Hebrews about Jesus' high priestly ministry, trying to show her that when priests or ministers are not available to pray with us we still have access to Christ because He has risen and is at the right hand of God with all authority and compassion to hear our prayers.  I read that we all have access to Him by faith, without any need for an intercessor because He lives to make intercession for us. He is or priest, we do not need another. We can come on our own, anytime. It didn't matter to her. She was so intent on "receiving the sacrament," that the beauty of the Gospel message was lost on her. Her longing was misplaced, her hope was in vain. I prayed with her after about 10 minutes or so, and before I was finished praying she interrupted with more anxiety that a priest was unavailable, when all the while we were praying to our Great High Priest- Jesus Himself. 

I left her troubled, just trusting the Lord to act and perhaps overcome her misplaced trust and reveal Himself to her as she was in such distress and He being merciful may consider her hearts turmoil. I also left with a sense of indignation, maybe even anger because of the teaching she had believed for so long. It was the very teaching that she held dear that was preventing her from receiving the mercy of Christ. It reminded me of Jesus' warning to take care what we listen to. 

Doctrine matters. In our time of emotional, self centered teachings about Christ and Christianity and weak inaccurate translations of the Bible, we have to recommit to sound teaching and biblical instruction. Especially in our time in the U.S. when we are seeing abominations erode the very foundation of our society and culture. Take care what we listen to. May the Holy Spirit of truth guide us into sound teaching that grounds us in a deep assurance of salvation and reality. He will create distress over our souls need of mercy, but then will also show us that Jesus Christ is the answer and the one Who grants mercy to our troubled souls. 

I pray for the woman I write of today. But she is a reminder of the bondage we are susceptible to if we do not, take care what we listen to.