ROMANS 10:17

“So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.”

You may have heard the expression, “If a tree falls in the forest and no one is there to hear it fall, does it make a sound?” Another saying is also popular. “If a man says something and his wife is not around to hear him, is he still wrong?” Not funny, by the way. But hearing something may or may not make it true. As the saying goes, “Believe nothing you hear and half of what you see.”

Paul is continuing his discussion about hearing and obeying, about the importance of the delivered message of the Gospel. Scholars debate the exact meaning of today’s verse. Some say it is not “fair” to say faith only comes to those who hear the message. What if they never get a chance to hear it? May I suggest something to you today about this verse? Let’s look at the word used here for “word.”

APPLICATION

Paul uses the Greek word rhema which the Topical Lexicon says, “focuses on a specific utterance—spoken, remembered, or freshly quickened by the Spirit. Rhēma highlights immediacy, particularity, and personal address.” Contrast that to logos, the other Greek word translated as “word” which has a broader message. Jesus is called the Logos.

Let me ask you something. Do you think God needs a person to deliver His rhema in order to be heard? I don’t think so. God can speak in all kinds of ways to get His message across. He doesn’t need a preacher, even though He does use them. We have all heard the stories of people hearing and seeing Jesus in dreams and visions. God has a way for His rhema to go forth to whomever He wants.

However God chooses to speak, faith comes from that hearing and then only once we obey. Again, as Paul mentioned in yesterday’s verse, many heard and did not “heed” the message. Our prayer should be that everyone will hear in some manner and will choose to respond to the call of Christ on their life. Jesus is a polite Savior. He won’t force Himself on anyone. But He is always there ready to give the gift of salvation to whomever wants to receive it. Tell everyone you know. Be a part of telling the rhema of Christ.

Your words are the words of life, Lord. Help me share them with all I meet.

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