Faith Comes From Hearing The Message, And The Message Through The Word About Christ

ROMANS 10:17-20
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 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.” 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.” 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.” But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands To a disobedient and contrary people.”
”‭‭Romans‬ ‭10:17-21‬ ‭NKJV‬
‬https://www.bible.com/114/rom.10.17-21.nkj

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There were many Jews who have looked for the Messiah and yet refused Him when He came; indeed some are still waiting and still refuse to listen.
But the truth is, God has offered salvation to all, both Jews and Gentiles, even those who are not looking for God.
We believers are called to share the Good News, but the truth is, we really don’t know how people will respond.
Those who listen with an open heart, even though they were not looking for God, may well receive. “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭4:12‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Once one accepts and receives God’s word, it will actively start a work within; with a little care and watering, the seed will grow.
Paul said to those who listen with an open heart, “I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1:6‬ ‭NLT‬‬
Some religious people are spiritually blind and refuse to listen to truth, while others who have never considered God or been to church are more responsive to His message.
This is because appearances are deceptive and we cannot see into people’s hearts, therefore, we really shouldn’t judge who will and who will not listen.
As Christians, our place is to wisely share the Good News to all, being careful not to push them further away by hammering them.
It starts with a seed, and then by carefully watering and nurturing them, they start to grow.
Then like babies, feed them milk that they become deep rooted in Christ, and in God’s perfect timing, they shall take in the solid food that comes from deep in God’s Word.
When they taste and see that the Lord is good, they shall naturally become hungry for more.
It is by a believer’s behaviour, peace, joy, and responses to situations that have great a influence on others.
But love is a weapon of mass destruction against the enemy, and God’s love can melt the hardest of hearts.
When they see love rather than judgement, or peace and joy in the midst of the storm, they see the light of Jesus and are naturally drawn to it.
But lasting peace and joy in Christ can only come through growing faith, trusting God with every outcome.
It is a process that through our trials, challenges, and testings that we grow in Christ.
Faith grows when we hear the message and cooperate by walking in it and experiencing the results.
That is to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh, and it is the fruits of the Spirit by which others are drawn to the faith (see GALATIANS 5:16-26).
James said, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.”
‭‭James‬ ‭1‬:‭2‬-‭4‬ ‭NKJV‬
Our trials and testing are a part of the process and we shall all face them. “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭8‬:‭28‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
My beloved, no one knows the day or the hour of Christ’ return, but Jesus gave us a clue with His words saying, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:14‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Only when everyone has heard the Good News of Jesus Christ will He return; but know this; that glorious day of the Lord is fast approaching. Jesus said, “For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and the other left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and the other left. Watch therefore, for you do not know what hour your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief would come, he would have watched and not allowed his house to be broken into. Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭24:38-44‬ ‭NKJV‬‬
Be awake and ready, for He is coming very soon, but not before everyone world wide has the heard the Good News, for “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”
‭‭II Peter‬ ‭3‬:‭9‬ ‭NKJV‬
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.