There is a way that many Christians today prefer to use in sharing the Gospel with others, and today’s Scripture from St. Paul’s letter to the Romans shows that this method is not God’s preferred method that He wishes us to use. Let’s see what we can learn from Romans today.
The method of witnessing that I am referring to, one which I have heard countless people say is the only method that they ever use, is that of the “silent witness”. In this method, they say that they let their actions, their lifestyle, be a witness to their neighbors. They hope that their neighbor will “see Jesus” through their actions, and that will be enough for them to come to faith in Him, they won’t have to say a word. What does the Apostle Paul say about this method? The answer is in our Scripture passage.
Today we’ll start at the end of the passage, and work our way back to the start. In verse 17 Paul states that faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing, not by seeing. The Bible states here that faith is created by the Word of God - specifically the preached Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is not produced just by seeing someone live a good life, doing a few good deeds. The lost need to hear the saving message of Jesus in order for them to come to faith in Him. True, the way Christians are supposed to live their life is important, otherwise we will be considered to be a hypocrite if we say one thing but live the other. However, speaking and telling others about Jesus, their hearing the Word of God is essential.
As we read in verses 14-16, the lost cannot call upon the Lord Jesus as their Savior if they don’t believe in Him, and they cannot believe in Him if they have not heard the message. They won’t hear the message if nobody preaches or speaks to them about Jesus. Paul quotes the prophet Isaiah by saying that the feet of those who bring the Gospel message to others are beautiful (Isaiah 52:7). They are beautiful in the sense that they carry the message of peace and salvation. Unfortunately not everyone believes, as Paul quotes Isaiah again (Isaiah 53:1). But in order for anyone to believe, they first must hear the message.
Now let us return to the beginning verses of our Scripture, which will tell us what it is that one must hear in order to believe (vs. 8-13). Paul begins here by quoting Deuteronomy 30:14, showing that God has made His Word accessible to everyone. He has not hidden salvation. The Gospel must be proclaimed by the mouth and believed in the heart.
The message that brings salvation is clearly stated in verse 9, that one must confess that Jesus is Lord and believe that God raised Him from the dead. This is not mere lip service. It is a declaration that Jesus is Yahweh, the divine Messiah, risen and reigning. The resurrection is the proof of Christ’s deity, His victory over sin, and the sufficiency of His atonement. The heart believes unto righteousness, and the mouth confesses unto salvation. Belief in the resurrection is essential. If someone denies this, they have rejected the Gospel and cannot be saved. The resurrection proves that Jesus is the Son of God who overcame death. It affirms that God was satisfied with His Son’s death as the sacrifice for mankind’s sins.
Paul states plainly that there is no distinction, that salvation is offered to both Jewish people and non-Jewish or Gentile people alike. Salvation is offered universally, but must be received individually. Verse 13, which comes from the prophet Joel (Joel 2:32) teaches that those who call on the Lord will be saved. Calling is the outward expression of the inward faith. It is not a ritual prayer, but is the cry of a repentant sinner trusting in Jesus Christ alone.
In closing, we see through this Scripture passage that faith comes by hearing. This shows that God does not want us to only be a silent witness for Him. Yes, as mentioned above, we should live a good and godly life that is a testimony for Jesus, but we are also supposed to be a verbal witness, as well. Others need to hear about Jesus. Pagans and atheists can live a virtuous life. If we are honest, how many people ever actually came to faith in Jesus because they saw that their neighbor was a good, upstanding fellow? Some might be inclined to go visit a church, but it is there that they hear the Word of God and hopefully are saved. Let us be faithful to the Lord, and tell those He brings across our path about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
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