So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. Romans 10:17
Words from Paul to the Church in Rome that began on the day of Pentecost when Jerusalem was full of travelers from all over the vast Empire. Isn’t God’s timing miraculously perfect? This letter is the Gospel to the world, both Jew and Gentile. It was written from Corinth and sent just before Paul left to take an offering to the persecuted Jewish converts in Jerusalem. He was prepared to be martyred and so he left this profound work, to the Capital of the World, to explain the nature of the Good News of Christ.
Faith is the foundation of Christian conversion and victorious living because the nature of man cannot live up to God’s Law or Holy nature on their own. It is Christ’s goodness Mercy and Grace that provide a defense for each of us and we can stand before God and be declared ‘Not Guilty’ for the sins we have committed, but have been forgiven of.
Those who solely depended of Jewish Law to provide access to salvation were stumbling blocks to the Gospel. They believed they were justified because of their traditions and they misrepresented God’s purpose, but Paul knows, a small portion of faith unleashed will open our hearts to hear Christ’s message of salvation and call to glorify His name in and through everything we do.
Love,
Gretchen