messengers of the good news

Good morning brothers and sisters,
Paul makes two important points today. The first is that even though God's grace saves us, people can't usually come to Christ without hearing the good news about Jesus. That's our role, telling the story and inviting people into that story with love. The second point he begins here but finishes a bit later. Israel has heard the message about Jesus, but mostly hasn't responded. He quotes Isaiah here to say that part of what God is doing by allowing gentiles to respond to Christ's call while allowing most Jews not to is making Israel jealous. We'll see how that argument progresses. For us today the more important piece is to own our role as messengers while remembering that we don't harass people to believe, we simply present the story. Our message will be much more appealing if (as we talked about on Wednesday) it shows through our lives; if they "know we are Christians by our love."

God bless,
Sam

Romans 10:12-21

12For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” 14But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” 16But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ.


18But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 19Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” 20Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” 21But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”