March 30, 2023

Romans 10: 13-15 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 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? And how can they preach unless they are sent? (NIV)

Those who have the ability to act have the responsibility to act.*

Everyone who calls upon Google Maps will arrive safely and timely at their destination. Is that a true statement? I think not. Aside from the fact that GPS programs are not infallible, just pulling up the address on your phone will not get you where you are going. You still have to follow the directions.

Similarly, merely calling on the name of the Lord will not save you. If it did, everyone who uses the Lord’s name in vain is on the way to heaven. Paul follows his quote (from Joel 2: 32) with directions for those who are giving directions to the lost. 

Calling on the name of the Lord is useless if the lost person doesn’t believe in the Lord. And the lost aren’t going to believe in the Lord if they have never heard of him. Furthermore, how will they hear if no one shares the gospel with them? Finally, who is going to preach the gospel unless they are sent to do it? The implication at this point is: being called is not the same as being sent – being sent means you went!

As ones who know the way, our responsibility is great. Jesus, who has all authority in heaven and on earth, has commissioned us to make disciples of all nations. And it’s not such an unglamorous task - after all, verse 15 ends with a quote from Isaiah that proclaims, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”

They aren’t responding to the gospel because we aren’t responding to the gospel.*