“So Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” Romans 10:17 (ESV)
Most of us have many opportunities to hear the Word of God. Not all people have the opportunities we have in a free society. What difference does that make to us? So, when we hear His Word taught what effect does hearing it have on us? The Word says in our verse of promise today that we will find our faith from receiving the substance, the truth found in the Message about Christ. It is the word of God that the Holy Spirit uses to awaken a response of faith within us, and it is the reliability of the Word of God on which we rest our faith for salvation. If our hearts are open to the message of Jesus Christ when we receive it, our faith is increased. The paraphrase called “The Message” renders our verse this way, “The point is: Before you trust, you have to listen. But unless Christ’s Word is preached, there’s nothing to listen to.” The words of Scripture are the words of eternal life. This is why proclaiming the gospel is absolutely necessary.
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