Romans 10 -- Being Sent

There is much in chapter ten to focus on. I cannot seem to get away from the sending model Paul offers. It starts out with the reminder there is not really a difference between Jew and Gentile in the eyes of God, and that anyone who would call on the name of the Lord will be saved. This does mean anyone, Paul is challenging cultural, social, political, and economic stratification. Anybody and everybody has the grace of God available to them.

Then the first challenge hits. How can they call on the one who they have not believed? It is really hard to rely on someone who you do not believe in. At Christmas time some children write letters to Santa in hopes of getting their dream present. For the most part when we get older we stop sending letters to Santa because we know he is not real, sorry if that was breaking news. We do not call on Santa because we do not believe he is real. If people do not believe Christ is real, then they will not call on him for salvation and redemption.

The second challenge is how can they believe if they have not heard? If someone is never given the opportunity to believe in something, chances are they will not believe. If there never is a story of the tooth fairy offered to children, they will not believe there is a tooth fairy, quite a tragedy. It simple will not be a part of their life. The same is true with Christ, if people do not hear about Christ, it is very difficult to believe.

Next challenge, how can they hear unless someone is preaching? There needs to be someone proclaiming the message of Christ to those who have not heard. Please remember preaching takes on several forms, it is not only the person presenting at a worship service. Being engaged in missions for the sake of Jesus Christ is often the most effective way to preach.

Finally, how can their be preaching unless people are sent? Sitting around in little Jesus clubs is not going to get it done. All of us who are in Christ must go and tell the story of Christ with our actions, words with our very lives. And then it will be said of us, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news."

So, don't just read this and sit there, get up go tell.