The implications of Romans 10:12-15 on missions

Write by:Gabe Powell

“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for He is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call upon Him; for ‘whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.’  How then shall they call upon Him in whom yhey have not believed?  And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard?  And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?  Just as it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring glad tidings of good  things.’ ”  (Romans 10:12-15)

When the Apostle Paul argued that all are under sin, he didn’t need new revelation.  Instead he could quote extensively through the Old Testament, which continually tells the tale of man’s enslavement to sin that contaminates every motive, thought, and deed which makes him an enemy of God (Romans 3:9,5:10).  Though the Jews had the Law, it didn’t make them any different in nature – that stern schoolmaster couldn’t transform the heart.

But are some men true seekers of God?  There was that rich young man who came to Jesus seeking what good work he could do to gain  entrance into God’s kingdom (Matthew 19).  But the man refused not only to recognize who he really was, but also who Jesus really was.  The man merely came to his own Jesus.  And he walked away from the real Jesus who had true riches.  I would not consider that man to be a seeker.

There are many who want eternal life and hope to get it in the endby their good works.  But those in the flesh cannot please God (Romans 8:8).  And Christ will say, “Depart from me for I never knew you for you are workers of iniquity.”  They were friends to their own Jesus, but enemies to the real Jesus.

But how do men receive the true riches destined for those who call upon the name of the Lord?  They must be taught the real Jesus.  But they won’t get it from the world.  It comes only from the Spirit.  This beautiful message is preached by the church and those sent by the church, which includes you and me as we are ambassadors for Jesus Christ in this wicked and perverse generation.  Many will sneer at our message, but God wiull honor it for He is well pleased through the seemingly foolishness of this message to save those who believe (1 Corinthians 1:21).  So we must all continue to engage in and support God’s work as He completes this work through us until the day of Christ.

• Pray that the Lord will continue to send laborers into the harvest
• Pray for those sent out by Hope Bible Church.
• Pray that they will consistently present the true Jesus.
• Pray that they will have boldness when others sneer at their message.

Gabe Powell