14 day plan

The Unchanging, Living Word of God

Day 11 of 14

NIV

Romans 10:17

17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Reflection: Faith Starter – God’s Word

(Further reading: Romans 10:1-21)

Is the Book of Romans one of your favourite books of the Bible? I tend to find it very challenging to read, but Paul has put together what Bible scholars have said to be very important knowledge and truth about Christendom and its teachings. History tells us that some very significant people in the Church have come to the saving grace of Jesus Christ by reading the Book of Romans. Many have been nurtured also in the Christian faith through this book.

As for me, Romans Chapter 10 has impacted my life in wonderful ways. It has helped me understand Jesus Christ and the Mosaic Law a lot more (10:4). I have come to simple faith in Christ by reading this chapter as I am guided to understanding the concept of salvation. I know that I am a saved sinner because I applied what Romans 10:9 tells me:

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”

I will never be put to shame because I believed in the Lord Jesus Christ (v.11). I discovered that my faith journey started with Christ and was initiated by his living Word.

Faith, then, comes from the word of Christ, which I was able to hear from reading Romans 10. Apart from the Bible, I have had some other opportunities too of hearing the Word of Christ: from my parents at home, from my village church, and from other sources. My faith was developed along the way — a process. But I am thankful that someone gave me the opportunity to hear Christ’s message and gave me a Bible.

How about those who still don’t have an opportunity to hear through the word of Christ? They still need people like you and me to share God’s life and Word with them so that they, too, can start a wonderful and exciting faith journey with the King of kings! Are you ready to take up that call?

Prayer

Dear Lord, if you are looking for a messenger to share the words of Jesus with someone, then please consider me. I would like to at least give a try the next couple of days. May you open the door of opportunity, open that person’s heart you want me to reach, and open my mouth so I speak the Word of truth. Amen!

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

Days

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2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

Romans 10:1-21

1Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.

5Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

14How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

16But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 18But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did:

“Their voice has gone out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.”

19Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says,

“I will make you envious by those who are not a nation;

I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.”

20And Isaiah boldly says,

“I was found by those who did not seek me;

I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.”

21But concerning Israel he says,

“All day long I have held out my hands

to a disobedient and obstinate people.”

The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.