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Faith Comes From Hearing
Everyone searches for happiness in life but so few find fulfillment and satisfaction that we have to look in the Word of God for the secret. The Psalmist says (Proverbs 8:32) “Now then, my sons, listen to me; blessed are those who keep my ways” (who conduct their life according to Bible teaching and example). God requires that we believe in His Son and put a trusting faith in His atonement sacrifice (regarding all issues that involve trust). A trusting faith in Christ is the only way to be righteous before God. Jesus said (Matthew 5:6) “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled,” and (10) “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Being righteous is an eternal life issue that involves hearing what God says about faith in His Son. When the subject of who the true relatives of Jesus would be was brought to His attention, He explained (Luke 11:28), "Blessed are those who hear the word of God and obey it." If faith comes from hearing a message, and if it is by faith that we enter heaven, then it is vitally important to hear a correct teaching on justification through faith because Jesus said (Revelation 21:27) “nothing impure will ever enter” the kingdom. There is a need for cleansing of the heart from the impurity of the sin nature. Jesus said that true happiness can be enjoyed forever by anyone (but only if they have this cleansing of the heart accomplished by a trusting faith in the resurrection power that brought Him back to life). "Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city” (Revelation 22:14). The right to enter heaven is given to anyone who is purified through their faith in the atonement work of Jesus Christ. (Romans 3:22-25) “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood.” Having a trusting faith in the shed blood of Christ must be understood as God meant it to be. Acts 3:16 is an example of the power that is back of the Name Jesus for physical healing. “By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus’ name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him.” If our sins are forgiven then answers to prayer can be given. Every promise from God is a sure thing through our faith in Christ (2 Corinthians 1:20). “Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world” (Romans 4:13). It was not through appearing religious but “through the righteousness that comes by faith” (in the atonement sacrifice of Christ who is the only One who can cleanse our hearts). (Romans 10:12-13), “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile;” [Ephesians 2:12-13, “At that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ”]. (Romans 10:12b)—“the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved; [Joel 2:32].’" Cleansing of the heart for salvation of the soul is available to every individual on earth, but they must hear about a trusting faith in Christ for this to be possible. After hearing of faith in the atonement of Christ (and they believe in their heart that Jesus is Lord), they must ask Him to forgive their sins since He is God (John 20:28). If anyone will meet this condition of trust on God (written in His Word), that person will be blessed forever in heaven. (Romans 10:14-15), “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’ [Isaiah 52:7]" We first must believe in Jesus and then call on God to save us from our sins. Anyone would, of course, have to know about faith in Christ (by hearing the story of His sacrifice on the cross) for God’s salvation plan to be completed for them. To know about the requirement of faith in Christ, a person would have to be given the opportunity to hear or read the message of salvation. The apostle challenges us with questions how can someone hear unless someone speaks to them and how can anyone know of God’s truth unless it is sent to them. It is a reminder of our responsibility as a believer who knows the requirement of faith in Christ for salvation, to offer that same truth to anyone God sends our way. It is our prayer for every day—that God will open the door so we can share His truth. It is our Christian duty to reach out to someone who has never heard the truth and to send them a brochure of our service messages. It is our responsibility to mail the message, and it is their responsibility to believe it (accept it and place a trusting faith in Christ). (Romans 10:16-17) “But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah [53:1] says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" 17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.” When a person hears the truth and is willing to accept what God says about His Son, the Holy Spirit can empower them to place a trusting faith in the power of the cross for healing (without pills), protection (without weapons), money (without insurance), and (trusting God) for any other issue where faith is involved. We must continue to trust God through every test of faith. (Romans 10:18-19) “But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: ‘Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world; [Psalm 19:4].’ 19 Again I ask: Did Israel not understand? First, Moses says, ‘I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding;’” [Deuteronomy 32:21]. The Jews knew the Scriptures and about the promised Messiah, but when He was born in Bethlehem they refused to accept Him as King. (John 1:11) “He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” These Hebrews did not believe the salvation truth contained in their own Scriptures and did not know that the Gentiles would later be given that truth. (Romans 10:20-21) “And Isaiah boldly says [Isaiah 65:1-2], "I was found by those [the Gentiles] who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me." 21 But concerning Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people." Jesus referred to this rebellious attitude of His own people (Matthew 23:37), "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you, how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing." It was their responsibility to believe God first, so that the Holy Spirit could be given next. Acting in trusting faith on the divine power that is available through Christ proves our faith to be real. “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead,” (James 2:17). Abraham acted in faith and that made the all-important difference. “His faith was co-operating with his actions, and that by his actions his faith was perfected;” (22 WEY). Being willing to place a trusting faith on Jesus, (instead of trusting something else for health, healing, protection, provisions and or any other faith issue) is the responsibility of everyone who hears about faith (and what Jesus accomplished). The divine power of God (that raised to life the divine Son of God) can do outstanding things for anyone who is willing to believe and willing to trust in the Son of God. When we are willing to believe in that perfect atonement sacrifice, our sins are forgiven and our heart is cleansed. The believer will be tested, so when the opportunity is given, we are to place a trusting faith in the divine power of Christ. Since it is only by faith that we enter the kingdom, then where (or on whom) we have placed our faith is a critical issue. “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved," (Acts 4:12). If we are physically oppressed, a choice must be made concerning whom to trust for help. If we place our faith in a pill or some drug for relief (instead of depending on the divine power of God for healing), we have rejected the first requirement of faith—to believe in the name of God’s only Son (John 3:18) “Whoever believes in him is not condemned.” The divine power that raised Jesus from the dead, is the same divine power available to the believer—for healing (without medical help), protection (without human devices), daily provisions (without laid-up cash), salvation (without a pious appearance) and trust on God for every other life issue involving faith. Every divine gift and blessing is available to anyone who will truly trust on God after hearing the message of faith in Christ. †††
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