SCRIPTURE
Romans 10:16-17
How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
COMMENT
Yes, beautiful are those who preach the gospel, keeping in mind, that not all who preach, preach the gospel. He goes on to say, "But they have not all obeyed the gospel." Is he talking about the preachers or the hearers? I think, because of the context brought in by the next sentence, he speaks of the hearers. Hearing is not enough. Hearing must be coupled with belief. Faith comes from hearing, but hearing alone is not a guarantee that faith will come.
Here is a tough thought: If we do not hear the truth, we will not believe the truth, yet I believe that we are responsible for believing the truth. So what about those who do not hear the truth? Are they only accountable for what they have been told? Perhaps their fate is the same as those who never hear at all. Yet if Jesus is the only way to salvation, it appears that those who never hear will also not be able to attain salvation.
But again, this is an instance where I must put my faith in God. My human heart questions if it is fair that those who never hear are still accountable. But my understanding of the Bible is that they are. I can question God, but I must also accept His answer, one that I might not hear this side of eternity. But if those who hear really believe, then many will hear. But when the Son of Man comes, will He find faith?
No comments:
Post a Comment