How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” . . . Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.

Devotion based on Romans 10:14,15,17

Jesus once told a story about a farmer. He walks into his field with his seed bag. He reaches into his bag of seed and starts to scatter it. The seed falls onto all kinds of different soil and surfaces. But the farmer just keeps throwing his seed. The farmer doesn’t do anything to manipulate the seed or the soil. He scatters the seed as he walks. When the seed falls on good soil and grows, it’s not because of the farmer but God who makes it grow and become fruitful.

Have you ever felt inadequate when it comes to telling people about Jesus? Not eloquent enough, not knowledgeable enough, not brave enough? God reminds us that we are not the ones who make the seeds grow. It is not our charisma or persuasiveness that creates faith. That’s God’s work. And God tells us that he works through people hearing the gospel message.

With a series of four questions, the apostle Paul explains the whole rationale of why it is so important to share the gospel. People cannot be saved unless they call on Jesus’ name as their Savior. They can’t believe in Jesus unless they have heard of him. And they can’t hear about Jesus unless someone tells them about Jesus. Faith in Jesus is created through hearing the gospel of Jesus, the good news of sins forgiven.

Ears are opened through preaching and sharing the gospel. Hearts are made alive by the Holy Spirit, creating faith through the Word. People must hear that Word. Like the farmer, we scatter the message of Jesus, and we trust God to work through it.

Prayer:

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.