Friday, October 5, 2012

October 2012 Pastor's Desktop Article

“So then, faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” (Rom. 10:17 KJV) Paul, in his letter to the Romans, was instructing them on how it is that we can have the righteousness that comes through faith. Being a Jew himself, Paul knew the mindset of the Jews of his day, and that many were seeking to have righteousness that came through their own efforts in trying to keep the law. Through Paul’s Damascus road experience when Christ came to him in blinding light, the light finally dawned on his heart and he heard the Word of Christ speaking to him. He found out that Christ had fully paid the penalty that Paul was still trying to pay on his own. We all have to come to that same realization. Our good works, no matter how many nor how good can never wipe away the sin that is ours. Only the blood of a perfect person, someone without their own sin to atone for, could pay the price for the sins of another. In the case of Christ, “who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin” He has been able to pay the price for all our sin. (Heb. 4:15b) Faith for Paul came by hearing Christ’s voice on that Damascus road showing him that the way he was going was not going to get him where he thought he was going. He thought he was pleasing God by persecuting those who were of the faith. Now, as he writes this letter to the Romans, his desire, as indicated in Rom. 10:1 was that the Israelites would be saved. They need to hear the glorious truth of this message, but how will they hear unless someone tells them. As we drive around town, moving past countless people in cars and homes along the way, is our heart burdened with the knowledge that many of those people don’t know Christ, and that without Christ they are headed for eternity separated from the one who has made the way for them through the shedding of His own blood? Do we at least pray that God will make His message known to them? Do we even consider that we could be used by God to share that Message? Don’t worry that you won’t know what to say, or how to say it. Pray first that God will give you the words you need, (they’re His Words anyway), and leave the results up to Him. He is the one who makes the seed of faith grow in our hearts, but unless the seed is planted, unless the Word is spoken, nothing will grow. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom.10:15b) You may never get to see or know the results of sharing your faith, at least not on this side of heaven. Wouldn’t it be great one day to meet someone in heaven who tells you, “I’m here in part because you cared enough to tell me about Jesus”? By His Grace Alone, Pastor Bruce Jacobsen