‌A clear path from hearing to doing

It is not enough to attend divine services, make sacrifices, and help along in the congregation. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider made this clear once again in a divine service on 2 June 2024 in Dili, East Timor. “To be part of the bride of Christ, you must become like Christ. We must change. And this transformation must become visible.”

The Chief Apostle said that God helps us to judge how far we have come and what still needs to be done: He gives us His word as a spiritual mirror. He gives us role models in the congregation. And He allows tests by which we can measure ourselves. But even that is not a sure-fire success.

Let’s not try and talk our way out of it

“For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was.” This Bible passage from James 1: 23–24 warns of the danger of merely hearing the sermons and not putting them into practice.

Now we could say: “I know I’m not perfect. I am a poor sinner.” The Chief Apostle said, “Sure, we are poor sinners and are imperfect, but this should never be an excuse or a reason to do nothing.” Because “God does not consider our achievements, but our efforts. So don’t give up,” the Chief Apostle encouraged. “Keep on struggling. Keep on working to change!”

Seven cases of “sometimes”

“Now we have to ask ourselves: why does it happen that I hear the word of God but do not do it,” the Chief Apostle said. There are several explanations for this.

• A lack of respect for God: “Sometimes we forget who is talking to us. It is the word of God, the Almighty. It is the word of the one who knows everything and everyone. The word of the only one who knows the future exactly.”
• Ingratitude: “Sometimes we forget all the good things God has done for us. We should do the word of God simply out of gratitude: to say thank you for everything he does for us.”
• Wrong priorities: “Sometimes we forget to do the word of God because we are busy with something else. God wants to give us eternal life. This is definitely the ultimate solution for all the problems.”
• Boredom:“We have the impression that it is always the same message. But if God repeats it for the 150th time, He has a good reason to do so. Are you sure that you are acting in accordance with the gospel in every situation in your life?”
• Lack of foresight: “Sometimes we hear the word and think, ‘Oh, that’s for my neighbour. That’s exactly what my sister needs.’” However, “God is talking to you. You have forgotten how big the gap is between what you are and what Jesus is,” the Chief Apostle said.
• Carelessness: “Sometimes, out of love, God wants to warn us, but we don’t take it seriously. Salvation is never something that God owes us. Grace is never guaranteed.”
• Doubt: Sometimes we don’t act on the word because we think: we did what we were told, and it didn’t work. However, “what our parents or the ministers have taught us is nice, but it is definitely not on the same level as the gospel of Jesus Christ,” the Chief Apostle said.

“Being a doer of the word is nothing other than following the example of Jesus Christ,” the Chief Apostle said. “Trust in God as Jesus trusted in Him. Love God as He loved Him. And love your neighbour as Jesus loved him.” Because “those who receive the sacraments and follow Christ until the end will enter the kingdom of God. Keep on struggling to do the gospel in every part of your life.”