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"If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear and heed My words.”Then He said to them, “Pay attention to what you hear. By your own standard of measurement [that is, to the extent that you study spiritual truth and apply godly wisdom] it will be measured to you [and you will be given even greater ability to respond]—and more will be given to you besides" - Mark 4:23-24
Oftentimes, Jesus would be teaching large crowds of people. (Mark 4:1) These people who gathered around him obviously weren’t atheists if they had come to hear Jesus speak. If you continue reading Mark 4 where Jesus is explaining the parable of the sower and the soils, in verse 35, you will see that the large crowd that had gathered around Jesus was still there in the evening. There were no cars or quick modes of transportation so the people likely had sat there all day to hear his teaching.
These people had the commitment to stay there all day, but Jesus still calls them unbelievers because they were only listeners and not doers:
”As soon as He was alone, those who were around Him, together with the twelve [disciples], began asking Him about [the interpretation of] the parables. He said to them, “The mystery of the kingdom of God has been given to you [who have teachable hearts], but those who are outside [the unbelievers, the spiritually blind] get everything in parables, so that they will continually look but not see, and they will continually hear but not understand, otherwise they might turn [from their rejection of the truth] and be forgiven.” Mark 4:10-12 AMP
There are other instances in the Bible where people traveled long distances to listen to Jesus and didn’t eat, but He still spoke in parables to them.
”and He did not say anything to them without [using] a parable; He did, however, explain everything privately to His own disciples.“ - Mark 4:34 AMP
So why do we feel like because we gather once per week, that that makes us believers?
The Bible tells us to be doers of the word, not listeners only.
"But prove yourselves doers of the word [actively and continually obeying God’s precepts], and not merely listeners [who hear the word but fail to internalize its meaning], deluding yourselves [by unsound reasoning contrary to the truth].“ - James 1:22 AMP
Obedience is better than sacrifice. (1 Samuel 15:22) You can sacrifice an hour or you can actually obey God. Which do you think is more important?
”“Quit your worship charades. I can’t stand your trivial religious games: Monthly conferences, weekly Sabbaths, special meetings— meetings, meetings, meetings—I can’t stand one more! Meetings for this, meetings for that. I hate them! You’ve worn me out! I’m sick of your religion, religion, religion, while you go right on sinning. When you put on your next prayer-performance, I’ll be looking the other way. No matter how long or loud or often you pray, I’ll not be listening. And do you know why? Because you’ve been tearing people to pieces, and your hands are bloody. Go home and wash up. Clean up your act. Sweep your lives clean of your evildoings so I don’t have to look at them any longer. Say no to wrong. Learn to do good. Work for justice. Help the down-and-out. Stand up for the homeless. Go to bat for the defenseless.“ - Isaiah 1:13-17 MSG
There is a difference between those who are just listening and those who are actually hearing and obeying.
So I have one question — Are you a good listener?