Romans 10:14-15: Evangelism

Romans 10:14.. "How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?"

Here's the common argument: "I don't want to be a missionary because if God wills that someone be saved, in his own sovereignty, he will cause someone else to present the Gospel to them." Well, maybe that doesn't hit home. Let's try this argument: "I don't want to present the Gospel to my neighbor; if God wants them to be saved, he'll send someone else to invite them to church." Have you ever thought those ideas (or similar ones) in your head? I know I have. But is that really how the bible teaches us to think?

I believe not. Look at Paul's words in Romans 10:14: "How are they to believe in him whom they have not heard?" In other words, you have a responsibility to share the Gospel, because without you preaching* the Gospel, people will not hear it, and they therefore won't believe. Paul is awakening us to the reality that if the Gospel is not heard, it will not be believed. Therefore, we must go out and preach* the Gospel.

Spurgeon has a wonderful quote: "Every Christian is either a missionary or an impostor." Oof. That one hits home. But what is he trying to say here? He is showing that every Christian is one who shares the Gospel with those around him, and if he doesn't, he is not a true Christian. According to Paul's argument here in Romans 10, I would have to agree with Spurgeon. Every Christian has an obligation to share the Gospel, whether that means having a conversation with a neighbor or flying overseas.

So, when is the last time you shared the Gospel? When is the last time you invited someone to church? Here's a good one: when was the last time you prayed that God might give you the opportunity to share your faith with someone? Be thinking today: who can you share your faith with? Who can you witness to? Remember: they will never believe unless they hear, and they will never heard unless you tell them.

*Preaching here refers to the act of "teaching the Bible in a way that is applicable." This does not mean "formally teaching the word of God in front of an assembly." You can share the Gospel without being a pastor, in fact, you are commanded to.