Faith Cometh By Hearing

Romans 10:17 is a very significant verse that we dare not limit or narrowly bind its implications.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

When I used to read this verse, an image of pews and podium popped up into my mind.  Teaching may be a part of this process of hearing, but the idea here is much bigger than that. Teachers do not all teach the same thing and that can be troublesome to the extent that people get discouraged trying to get to know God. I know from experience.

The key is in understanding the word 'hearing'. The fact that it is used twice in an almost melodious way is beautiful. The word 'hearing' is translated from the Greek word 'akoe'. In Hebrew it has the sense of hearing to hear. It implies attentive hearing to the word of God.

5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5

Asking for help from God brings great rewards. Instead of praying for specific needs, try praying to understand the truth about God and his son. Prayer involves listening.  It is two-way. You cannot trust anyone unless you first listen attentively.  Your brain must receive information and process it.  Faith is not mindless. True understanding can only come when we are actively engaged in learning what God is all about. Everything else will fall into place.

A good understanding about the gift of holy spirit is also important. The holy spirit is key in teaching us God's Word. Christ and the holy spirit are tied together. That is also how Christ is tied to us. He is the way to God.  God who is spirit (John 4:24) is over all.  God's spirit is with Christ and that spirit has been made available to us.  We are one with God as Christ is one with God.

9That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Romans 10:9-10

Several of the earlier Greek texts translate the 'word of God' in this verse as the 'word of Christ'. The context of this chapter in Romans and the book of Romans in general,  explains what God has done through his son Jesus Christ:

20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; 21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me John 17:21

18 For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit. Ephesians 2:18

We need to understand who Jesus Christ is if he is to be our Lord. The subject of the Bible is Jesus Christ.  He is foreshadowed in the Old Testament and his record as he walked this earth is in the four gospels: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.  His resurrection and what he is doing now and in the future is recorded in the rest of the Bible. This is the 'word of Christ'. How can you make Jesus Christ Lord if you don't get what he is all about.

When this all works together it is powerful but it takes trust on our part to benefit.  The more we learn about God and Jesus Christ accurately will build trust and we will see the results of that trust. Faith is not blind.