“How Shall They Believe?”

Romans 10:14

Usually those who are saved by the grace of God are brought to faith in Christ by degrees. I do not doubt that some are born again and believe on the Son of God the first time they hear the gospel. That certainly appears to have been the case with the Philippian jailer (Acts 16:30-33), but not with Lydia (Acts 16:14-15). I know that faith is the gift of God. It is the work and operation of his almighty grace (Eph. 2:8; Phil. 1:29; Col. 2:12). We “believe according to the working of his mighty power” (Eph. 1:19). but God does not by-pass his appointed means to give us faith. Neither does he by-pass our minds. Usually faith comes by stages. First, the Lord arouses an interest in our hearts. Then, he causes us to consider the things of Christ. Next, he convinces us of sin, righteousness, and judgment. By these things we are effectually led to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.

The simple fact is, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God” (Rom. 10:17). If you want faith, if you want to believe on Christ, go to a place of public worship where you can hear about him. Do not waste your time and destroy your soul by getting intoxicated with Christless religion. Find a faithful gospel preacher and learn from his lips the sweet, saving message of Christ crucified. Read about Christ in his Word. Think about him. Consider him. If you seek him with all your heart, you will find him. That is his promise (Jer. 29:12-13).

Search the Scriptures for yourself. They do testify of Christ (John 5:39). The Bible is the window through which we see him. Read the story of his redeeming love, his sufferings and death, his resurrection and exaltation, his intercession and dominion, and know that Jesus Christ is mighty to save. Meditate upon the perfection of his obedience as the Representative of his people. Reverently contemplate the efficacy of his shed blood and the preciousness of it. If you would know Christ, get to know everything you can about him.

Remember this too - If you are unwilling to seek the Lord, unwilling to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, you have no one to blame but yourself. It is written, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned “ (Mk. 16:16).

Don Fortner