One Lord for All: Calling, Believing, Hearing, Sending

Romans 10:12–17 (NLT)

¹² Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. ¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? ¹⁵ And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

¹⁶ But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” ¹⁷ So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.

Message

Both Jew and Gentile can be saved not by the works of the Law, but by believing in Jesus (Romans 3:22–24, 3:28-30, 9:30-32, 10:3-4). Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced (Romans 10:11, Isaiah 28:16). Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him (12). Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (13, Joel 2:32). Believing in Jesus means placing our faith and trust in Him as Lord and Savior, while calling on Jesus means personally turning to Him and appealing to Him for salvation. Paul argues that if no one is sent, no one will go and tell them (15^a). Then, no one can hear about Him, no one can believe in Him, and then, no one can call on Him to save them (14). So, how important to take action by sending, going and telling them about the Good News (15b, Isaiah 52:7).

But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” (16, Isaiah 53:1)

Nevertheless, proclaiming the Good News is essential, even though not everyone who hears it will believe. This is because faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ (17).