For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:12-13)
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And 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 unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!” [Isaiah 52:7; Nahum 1:15] (Romans 10:14-15)
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” [Isaiah 53:1] So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Romans 10:16-17) A preacher is a person who proclaims or makes known the gospel of the kingdom of God, And the gospel must first be preached to all the nations. (Mark 13:10) God was the first preacher, because Abraham believed in the Lord, and He accounted it to him for righteousness. (Genesis 15:6)
Abraham believed the Word of God, even before the Word became flesh and dwelt among us,... (John 1:14) That's why Abraham is considered the father of faith (Romans 4), because he, and all after him who believed the Word of God, died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13) He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. (Romans 4:20-21)
Remember, faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) That's why Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” (John 20:29) That's also why Jesus commanded the disciples, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15-16)
God made sure that the gospel was preached to all nations, from creation to the present. Remember, when Israel went out to battle against the Phillistines,... And when the ark of the covenant of the Lord came into the camp, all Israel shouted so loudly that the earth shook. Now when the Philistines heard the noise of the shout, they said,... " “God has come into the camp!” And they said, “Woe to us! For such a thing has never happened before. Woe to us! Who will deliver us from the hand of these mighty gods? These are the gods who struck the Egyptians with all the plagues in the wilderness." (I Samuel 4:1-8)
What God had done for the children of Israel by delivering them out of Egypt had spread throughout all the world; and even though the people had the details incorrect, they still had heard about God. And also when the Queen of Sheba [now Yemen] heard of the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the Lord, she came to test him with hard questions. (I Kings 10:1) She had heard about the Lord of the children of Israel, and she lived over 1,200 miles away, before TV's or phones or electricity.
But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: “Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” [Psalm 19:4] (Romans 10:18) The gospel message has been spread throughout the world, God made sure of it, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse,... (Romans 1:19-20)
Paul also proclaimed this Truth to the church in Colossi, if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. (Colossians 1:23) The gospel has been preached to every one everywhere! People just have to make the choice to believe through faith, even though it may be difficult, or to deny and suppress the truth in unrighteousness,... (Romans 1:18)
That's why Israel's rejection of Christ Jesus was so awful, because they had the Word of God in the flesh, walking among them and performing miracles before them; but instead of believing in Him through faith, the denied the Truth, even after God spoke before them from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” (Matthew 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:22)
But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: “I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.” [Deuteronomy 32:21] But Isaiah is very bold and says: “I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.” [Isaiah 65:1] But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.” [Isaiah 65:2] (Romans 10:19-21)
And the Lord has sent to you [Judah and Jerusalem] all His servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, but you have not listened nor inclined your ear to hear. (Jeremiah 25:4) Therefore, Israel's disobedience benefited us who aren't Jews, because God said, "''I will also give You as a light to the Gentiles, that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.’” (Isaiah 49:6)
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God! Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit! (Matthew 28:19) He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:16) AMEN!
No comments:
Post a Comment