Romans 10:14-17 (NIV)
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 they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.
Paul understood that God’s desire to save all people is not enough. In order to be saved, as he showed earlier in his argument, the people themselves must choose to repent and believe in Jesus. That is why God has sent His people with the commission to go out and preach the gospel (Mark 16:15), making disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18-20), those far off as well as those nearby.
Paul follows the progress of disciple making here in reverse order, from his conclusion backward to the beginning. Looking at it from front to back in time, the reverse of Paul’s presentation, first the messengers are sent by God to proclaim the good news. Then, they present the message of the kingdom of God clearly and boldly. Next, once the people have heard the message, they can choose to believe in Jesus. Finally, they can call on Jesus and be saved.
But, as Paul clearly implies, without a willing group of witnesses who go and present the gospel to the people, the forward progress of the kingdom is effectively halted, new people will not have the opportunity to hear and believe, and darkness will begin its inexorable incursion into society again.
Paul understood that just because someone hears the gospel, even a presentation that is clear and passionate, doesn’t mean that they will accept it and be saved. In the end, that is left to the individual to decide. In the countless times that Paul had preached the gospel, some of which are recorded in the book of Acts, some accepted immediately, some responded more slowly, but there were also many who rejected it. That saddened him, of course, especially when those who rejected the good news were his own people. But, at the same time, he rejoiced over those who chose to respond and were saved, whether they were Jewish or gentile.
Father, Your gospel message never moves forward by force or coercion. Instead, it must always be lovingly presented as an opportunity for people to repent, to choose Jesus, and to enter Your kingdom willingly. Help us to be faithful to take Your good new clearly, passionately to those all around us, to urge them to choose You, and to receive those who do, and help them to grow into powerful disciples of Jesus. Amen