How Can They...?
Small words can make big impacts. The following text from Romans 10:13-17 has such a word. That word is “how”. It reads this way:
For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?" So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.How. It is a small word but it poses a series of pivotal questions in this scripture text from Paul. How people listen to the gospel and, in fact, whether or not they have the opportunity to listen to it depends largely on how the Christian community engages the gospel as those commissioned to share it. “How?” Paul asks us.
It is difficult nowadays to travel anywhere and not encounter a spiritual prompting of some kind. “God” messages are on billboards. Television programs air around the clock. There is the occasional devotional guide in doctor waiting rooms and hospital emergency rooms. Pithy bumper stickers abound. Church marquees are laced with spiritual messages. Necklaces and bracelets sporting crosses and the fish sign are more common. Yes, spiritual “promptings” are everywhere.
Though they are interesting and usually communicate something truthful about God and the gospel, these promptings have a shelf life of a few seconds in someone’s mind.
The text from Romans reminds us that people usually listen – really listen – when another person talks to them. God has always worked through…people. Person-to-person. He SENT a person to save us. Prophetic messages were dispatched through people. The first disciples were commissioned to go into the whole world and preach. Mark 3:12 says Jesus chose twelve disciples to be with him that he might sent them forth to preach.
Paul’s “how” questions remind us that God still needs people to be His instrument to reach other people. The most beautiful feet in the world are feet that carry the gospel of peace to another person. Are we listening Christian community? Faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Father, may your word be in our mouth and prompting our hearts to be aware of the people we encounter everyday. May they mean more to us than consumer interactions that help us on our way with the satisfaction of our needs. Give us eyes and ears for their spiritual needs. Help us to walk with beautiful feet every day. Because of Jesus....Amen
Randy Daugherty
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