Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I think that most people are familiar with the term remission as it relates to cancer. If cancer is in remission the cancer is not gone it is no longer destroying healthy cells. Doctors will change a patient’s treatment, take a new course of action to detect if or when the cancer might again become active.

Is that understanding a fair comparison to the remission of sins? A biblical word definition search will render a different meaning than a worldly one. Biblically it means to set free, to remove the chains of bondage, that sin no longer holds you captive. Biblically it does not mean to destroy those chains. Sin still exists but no longer has a hold on you.

1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

Having sin is not the same as committing sin, just as cancer in remission is still cancer. So in one way cancer and sin can be compared. Let us go further into the comparison and see if more is to be discovered. How about the treatment?

The doctor keeps an eye on the cancer and the Holy Spirit keeps an eye on sin. When the doctor finds cancer is active again, he calls you in for a change in treatment. When the Holy Spirit find sin is active in your life, He calls you in and changes the treatment.

What happens if you ignore your doctor’s advice? What happens when you ignore the Holy Spirits advice? Cancer grows and destroys life. Sin grows and destroys life.

Just because sin isn’t as painful as cancer, do not fool yourself of its destructive ability.

“If I read the bible and believe the bible and act on His commandments, why do I need to hear God?”

That is where we left off yesterday. As I said, that is a fair question. Without going into specifics, and assuming that if you ask this in all honesty, what makes you think you don’t?

How did you come to want to read the bible? How often do you read your bible? If you say you read your bible, is there purpose behind your reading? Do you get something out of it? Do you come away comforted, at peace, or with a lighter heart?

You say you believe the bible. Did you examine and reflect on the words or just accept them on face value? Can you answer anyone who challenges you on your belief? Do you have a witness which is based on the bible? When someone misquotes the bible, do you know it?

You act on His commandments? Which ones? Do you pick and choose what to obey or do you give an honest effort to be gentle, kind, and gracious? An honest effort doesn’t mean 100% compliance, just an earnest effort. Do you give Him glory? Do you have a heart of thanksgiving?

My answer is that you cannot do any of that without hearing God. You cannot even say “I believe” without hearing God. No one has a desire to read the bible except God put it there. No one can step out in faith without God being at their side.

You hear God with your heart and not your ears.

If you want to hear God with your ears, then get away from away from the noise and distractions. Sit yourself down and quiet your mind. Remember it is still His will.

“Be still and know that I am God.”