Muffled messages

Read Romans 10:14-15

14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say,”How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” (NLT)

We tend to believe that very many people actually reject the Christian message. That may not be quite true. Some may have heard the message and instead of deeply considering it and rejecting it,have never really come to grips with it. True,the result is much the same,but it is not as if further and more persuasive arguments are going to convince them. They simply don’t see the need to embrace the faith.

Then again,there are others who have rejected what they perceive as the Christian faith when in fact they are turning against something rather different. A fearsome or tyrannical religion; a set of moral rules that seem utterly irrelevant; an image of the church as a power-hungry institution bent on self-protection. It is not as if they have rejected the gospel: their prior perceptions have not let the real gospel penetrate. Too much religion,too much personal history,too much insensitive ‘evangelism’ has hardened them.

This text reminds us that it is wonderful to bring wonderful good news to people who need to hear it. Our challenge remains to ensure it is truly good news they are hearing. If people are going to reject the good news of Jesus Christ,we at least need to make sure that is what they are rejecting.

Blessings
David Reay