Read: Romans 10:1-18

How are they to believe . . . ? (v. 14)

According to Paul, being saved is easy. All anyone has to do is “call on the name of the Lord.” But he’s not talking about some sort of magic incantation. The call has to come out of faith in Christ and an understanding of his saving work. Furthermore, the call must be accompanied by public confession; it can’t just be some kind of private deal we do with Jesus. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (v. 9).

OK, Paul says, now think through this with me. Salvation is simple to receive. You don’t have to climb all over heaven and earth to get it. Just call on the name of the Lord. But the name of the Lord is “Jesus.” People have to believe in Jesus in order to call upon him. But how can they believe in him if they’ve never heard of him? And how can they hear unless someone tells them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? There it is in a nutshell. That’s how the gospel works. It’s the rationale for missions. Those who know Jesus as Savior must tell others about him.

If we proclaim the gospel throughout the world and people don’t believe, that’s on them. But if we don’t proclaim it and people don’t hear, well, that’s on us.

—David Bast

Prayer:

Lord, send your gospel out to the world today. In fact, use me to send it.