Faith and Favor

In review of Romans 10:17 it says, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

Bottom Line:

Faith comes from hearing the word of God

What this means to me:

I could have never had faith without hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Good News about Christ

Today’s verse comes from Romans chapter 10, where Paul is helping believers in Rome truly understand the Good News of Jesus Christ and what this means against the backdrop of the law that they so closely held to. The Good News is the very message about faith that we preach: “If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Paul then says, 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? 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!”

In my own life, doing God’s will has brought me to a fork in the road that demanded that I make a decision. It is a decision that launched me into the next level with God.  Since I have encountered him deeply in my life, my life hasn’t been like it was. This is because I have come to a more meaningful relationship with my Lord and Savior.

I’m reminded of Noah and his life. Noah couldn’t live the same after building the ark. Neither can I stay where I am and go with God at the same time. I cannot sit on the bank and simultaneously launch out into the deep. I must choose to travel down one path, mine or God’s. I have to obey God’s voice and move forward, or else I am choosing spiritual stagnation.

What I’m realizing is that I will miss out on the favor of God in my life unless I choose to pay the price to follow Him. Gaining his favor requires action on my part. Faith is believing that He is who He said He is, and the He will do what He said He will do. Walking in divine favor will always lead me to a surprise ending in a truly fantastic way!.