Romans 10:11-21

¹¹ Because the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” ¹² Because there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. ¹³ Because everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. ¹⁴ How can they to call on one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in one they have not heard of? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵ And how can they preach unless they are sent? As scripture puts it, “How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.” ¹⁶ But not all have obeyed the good news, because Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”[1] ¹⁷ Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ. ¹⁸ But I ask, have they not heard? Yes, they have: Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world. ¹⁹ But again I ask, didn’t Israel understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous by those who are not a nation; with a senseless nation I will provoke you to anger.”[2] ²⁰ And Isaiah is even bold enough to say, “I was found by those who did not seek me; I became well known to those who did not ask for me.”[3] ²¹ But about Israel he says, “All day long I held out my hands to this disobedient and stubborn people!”[4]

no difference

Paul had lived his entire life believing that there was a huge difference between the Jew and the non-Jew. Then he met Christ. His dramatic discovery of the Messiah on the Damascus road led him to re-evaluate things. He saw that every soul on the planet had a need that only Jesus could meet, the need for salvation. He understood that no matter what tradition a person comes from, without Christ he stands condemned. The best thing that can happen to anyone is for them to hear the good news of the gospel, and surrender to Christ. Without this blessing, no other blessing matters.

Perhaps you have believed all your life that you are part of a blessed and preferred community. Maybe you have never needed anything, and you feel that your life has already been blessed by God. Please do not allow the relative comfort of your life to keep you from seeing your desperate need of a Savior. Come to the Damascus road today, and put your faith in God’s only means of righteousness and eternal life. Millions are dying without the hope of eternal life, and if you have not trusted Christ, there is no difference between you and them.

LORD, reveal to all of us our desperate need for your deliverance.

[1] Isaiah 53:1.

[2] Deuteronomy 32:21.

[3] Isaiah 65:1.

[4] Isaiah 65:2-5.