Where Does Faith Come From?

5 Moses writes about receiving God's approval by following his laws. He says, "The person who obeys laws will live because of the laws he obeys."6 However, Scripture says about God's approval which is based on faith, "Don't ask yourself who will go up to heaven," (that is, to bring Christ down). 7 "Don't ask who will go down into the depths," (that is, to bring Christ back from the dead). 8 However, what else does it say? "This message is near you. It's in your mouth and in your heart." This is the message of faith that we spread. 9 If you declare that Jesus is Lord, and believe that God brought him back to life, you will be saved. 10 By believing you receive God's approval, and by declaring your faith you are saved. 11 Scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be ashamed."12 There is no difference between Jews and Greeks. They all have the same Lord, who gives his riches to everyone who calls on him. 13 So then, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." 14 But how can people call on him if they have not believed in him? How can they believe in him if they have not heard his message? How can they hear if no one tells [the Good News]? 15 How can people tell the Good News if no one sends them? As Scripture says, "How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who announce the Good News." 16 But not everyone has believed the Good News. Isaiah asks, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message that is heard is what Christ spoke. ~ Romans 10:5-17 (God’s Word Translation)

In my last post I ask, is faith necessary? I believe that if you agree with my points it is our pathway to Christ, for without faith what do we believe? Here in Romans the 10th chapter we see Paul telling us that if we want to receive God’s approval by following His laws then we must obey God’s law. Then he goes on to say that scripture tells us that God’s approval is based on faith. I don't know about you but to me this is huge! Paul also says that this message of faith is not just near us it is in our mouths and in our hearts. It is the message that we must declare Jesus to be our Lord and Savior!

By believing we receive God’s endorsement then by declaring our faith we are saved. I love the way Paul uses scripture here to prove his point, “Whoever believes in Him will not be ashamed.” Let me repeat that, whoever believes in HIM (CHRIST JESUS) WILL NOT BE ASHAMED!! Another important point here is that it does not matter who you are, where you come from, you race, nationality, age, sex, there is no difference between Jews and Greeks, HALLELUJAH!! We all have the same God! We all have the same Lord and Savior! We all have the same Father who gives His all to us who call on His Name! So what does that mean for us? It means, “Whoever calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved!

Next question, how can anyone call on His Name of they have not believed in Him? How are they going to come to faith of they have not heard about Him? How are they to hear if we keep silent!? If we just set back and continue to be the “silent majority” how can anyone believe God’s message of Christ? “How beautiful are the feet of the messengers who announce the Good News.” We, the “Christians” of this country have been too silent for too long. We have believed of the “American Dream” for too long and have forgotten about the “Good News” of Christ. We have become like to Israelites who time after time, were rescued by God only to quickly forget who saved them and whose dime they were living on. What was the result when they fell away, they lost their land, they lost their belongings and they even lost their freedom and sometimes their very lives. What must we lose to wake up and remember who it is we need? What must we lose before we realize that if we do not speak up for Christ, if we do not live out our faith, we lose everything?

Please remember what Isaiah ask, “Lord, who has believed our message?” and the response, “So faith comes from hearing the message, and the message that is heard is what Christ spoke.” We must carry Christ message to His people or they may not hear. Amen. <><