READING: Romans 9-12
“And how can they believe without hearing about him?”
Romans 10:14
I’ll be honest with you about today’s devotion. It was hard to write. It’s tough because I put into words where my heart lies.
In the context of writing about salvation, Paul asks this series of rhetorical questions that challenge me every time I read them: “How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? And how can they preach unless they are sent?” (Rom. 10:14-15). Paul’s words make it clear that everyone must have exposure to the message of Christ to be saved – and God raises up and sends people to get that work done. Sometimes it’s a local church leader sent to serve in his own hometown; in other times, it’s the missionary called to move his family to the ends of the earth. In both cases, the commitment of believers must be to proclaim.
I’m challenged today because I know of the thousands of people groups and billions of people in the world who do not know Jesus. Some, in fact, have never heard of His name. Others know His name but reject Him as a religious charlatan. Everyone, though, must hear the gospel to be saved—so somebody must get there with the Good News. Anything short of that step is insufficient.
That’s where my heart pounds a bit as I read today’s text. The Lord has not yet granted Pam and me permission to move from North Carolina to another part of the world to do His work, but I wonder if/when that will happen. At any rate, I know I must proclaim the Word where I live and trust Him to take us where He wants us in His timing. My heart’s desire is like Paul’s – that people would be saved (Rom. 10:1).
ACTION STEPS:
- Speak the Good News to somebody today. Somebody needs to hear it and be saved.
- Thank God that He sent someone to speak the gospel to you.
PRAYER: “God, use me to speak the gospel to someone. Even open my heart to the possibility of being a missionary taking the gospel to the ends of the earth.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Romans 13-16