Day 78 — Good News Worth Hearing

Day 78 · Making Christ Known · Romans 10:8-17 (NET2)

Paul speaks of trusting the risen Lord Jesus and calling on him for salvation. He then follows the chain of hearing, believing, speaking, and being sent. Faith is not produced by our cleverness, but people do need to hear the message about Christ. We can value both the clarity of the good news and the people who carry it, while asking how we may participate.

Request

Father, help people hear and trust the good news of your risen Son. Amen.

Read

Romans 10:8-17

⁸ But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we preach), ⁹ because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰ For with the heart one believes and thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. ¹¹ For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹² For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. ¹³ For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

¹⁴ How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.” ¹⁶ But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” ¹⁷ Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.

Scripture: NET Bible, Second Edition (NET2).

Reflect

1. What connections does Paul make between hearing, believing, and calling on the Lord?
2. How could you help someone hear the message about Christ more clearly?

Restate

Summarize the good news at the center of this passage.

Respond

Let the passage guide your prayer. Use these prompts in your own words:

• Praise: Praise Jesus, the risen Lord.
• Thanksgiving: Thank him that all who call on him in faith are welcomed.
• Confession: Confess reluctance to speak when an opportunity is given.
• Intercession: Pray for those who have not heard clearly about Christ.
• Petition: Ask for faithful messengers and an appropriate part in their work.

Carry it into today: Practice explaining the good news simply, without unnecessary religious jargon.