Perspectives

Romans 10:13-15 … 13) “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14) How, 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? 15) And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (NIV)

The Bible says, “That all who call on the name of the Lord will be saved”. However, there is a process involved in bringing the grace of God to a human life. While it might culminate with the person calling on the name of the Lord, there is much behind that belief. (How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in?) There must be a faith in the one on whom they call. In other words, if we are not brought to the place where we truly believe that the Lord is real and can do something about our situation, we will never call on His name.

Behind the belief is the message heard. (How can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard?) In other words, faith always has an object. Faith is not some unearthly, weird feeling or sentiment. It is grounded in Biblical truth. Therefore, there must be a message of that truth. So, the message of Christ must be told if people are going to be able to believe. It is faith in the truth that makes the difference. Today we have folks saying, “Since their faith is sincere that is good enough.” However, I might have all the misguided faith in the world that I can fly if I leap off a tall building. But, when I leap and hit the ground, that type of faith will give way to reality. Faith must be grounded in Biblical truth to have any value.

But who are the messengers? Does it have to be someone standing behind a pulpit? The message is always delivered by a messenger… or could it be that every one of us is a preacher of the Gospel? I believe that is how it should be done. I believe this has always been God’s plan. The message is to be communicated by someone who believes it and has had their life changed by it. This ministry is not just for pastors, this ministry is for everyone who has come to faith in Christ. All of us are ministers. All of us are living-epistles-living letters of the grace of God read by all people. All of us carry on our lips and in our lives the testimony of the salvation that can come by faith in Jesus Christ. Does that mean we all have a responsibility to let that Good News be known? Yes, I believe it does mean that.

Behind each courier is the sender. And how can they give a sermon unless they are sent? The Bible speaks clearly, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news?” There should be no doubt who does the sending. It is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. And He sends us all to spread the message. The clergy alone will never win the whole world to Christ. If the preachers think that they are the only ones who are spreading the Gospel, then many or even most people will never be reached.

Grace is a process. It is like turning on a light switch. We flick the switch on the wall and the lights go on. It seems like a simple thing. Yet behind it is a very complicated process: The transmission towers, the substations, the dams that were built to hold water, and the poles on which the wires are strung. A tremendous complexity lies behind the simple act of flipping a light switch. But, every time we do it, power surges forth and it comes only because that complicated process has no breaks along the way.

We know that every time an individual comes to the place wherein quietness they call out to the Lord for salvation, a tremendous process has led to this place of decision. Remember Mary the mother of Jesus. Remember the birth of Jesus at Bethlehem. Remember the betrayal of Jesus. Then there was the mystery of the Cross. What about the wonder and miracle of the Resurrection? God sending the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost. All believers who have had their life changed by faith in Jesus Christ. All this is a process behind a single individual who calls on the name of the Lord. God is behind it, He has started it… To God Be the Glory Great Things He Has Done!

Would you pray this prayer with me…? “Lord Jesus, come into my heart? Forgive my sins. I want my life to change. My thoughts and my attitude need to change. I do not have the peace in my heart that I yearn for. I really want that peace, joy and happiness that will fulfill my heart’s desire. Please let the Holy Spirit help me be the kind of Christian that will honour Your Name.” Amen.