So then, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message comes through preaching Christ. Romans 10:17 GNB
Let's lay the foundation for today's extract: Paul writes in this 10th chapter of Romans how important salvation is to the redemption plan of God for all mankind. It had nothing to do with tribe, culture, race or tongue, but an open invitation to ALL men to come to Jesus. A summary of the verses leading up to today's extract underlines this. One verse says: For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. It is an open invitation; open to men, asking them to CALL, not just on anything or anyone that catches their fancy, but upon the NAME of the LORD. An assurance is also provided by God that all who call WILL be SAVED; not may or should, but WILL be saved. That is the assurance that comes from the One who has power to save.
The key to calling on the nams of the Lord is the focus of today's extract: FAITH. The question asked in this context is: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? If there is no faith that the One who asks me to call can save me, there is no motivation to call on Him. If I do not think I need help, or I have not yet come to the realisation that I am indeed lost without Him, then I do not yet need help. Faith needs a basis and foundation, and nothing else can support it outside of the God who speaks. So, what are you listening to, or who are you going to for validation? If it is not the God who helps you stand, you will fall for anything.
Then comes the dilemma: because of sin, man has become blind and deaf to most of God's promptings. There has to be a framework for man to realise that he's lost and needs a Saviour. In response to this dilemma, these words are written: how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? For a man to be tired of where he is now, he has to be shown a more excellent way. How would he know of the more excellent way if all who know about it keep it to themselves? How would a man know the error of his ways if the truth about his ways and the eternal consequences of his ways are not made clear? This is not to frighten anyone, but God leaves no one in doubt as to the eternal consequences of sin, which is also eternal death in hell. His Word makes it clear, but these days, we prefer to hear the words that make us comfortable, rather than the words that should drive us towards God and his mercies so we can escape the coming judgment. Oh, that judgment is coming, and the only way it can end well for me is to make sure it meets me in God when it comes.
God is looking for people who will bear this message to the world. He is looking for people who have had a personal experience of Him to share that experience with the world. Men of the world are looking for the right message; one of hope and certainty about eternity. You only find that in the eternal God. And if I have God, I should be proud to show him off. That is why I have to be a visible and audible witness for God. Men must meet Him through me, as I speak of Him and His Word.
And that is where today's extract comes in. When I speak God's Word, it has no choice but to awaken faith in the hearts of men who hear. Faith comes when a person opens the heart for the Word of God to take root. You cannot speak of faith outside of the Word of God. What would give you confidence to face the uncertain tomorrow, if you know nothing of the God who holds and owns tomorrow? The message must be about Christ, so that His life becomes the attraction. Nothing else will draw man's heart toward God. All else will be distractions and weights. Am I a tool God sees fit to use to preach the message, or do I need to also hear God's Word again? Do I have unshakeable faith in God, or am I trying to balance competing interests? Remember, it is God or nothing. He will not be mocked, and He will not settle for second best. Give him all your heart, let Him do with it what a loving creator can do with his creation: nurture and preserve it for all eternity. His time of favour is here.
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