Path To Faith
Just because you tell someone something, it doesn't make them believe.
But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" But not all have obeyed the good news; for Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed our message?" So faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have; for "Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world." Again I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, "I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry." Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, "I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me." But of Israel he says, "All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people." - Romans 10:14-21
Paul seems to be arguing against himself here, first saying the word needs to get to the people in order for them to believe, and then saying the word has gone out and people have ignored it.
That's not unusual, is it?
We know we have to let people know the truth, and yet we also know the truth is not always accepted as truth.
Paul sounds frustrated.
He talks about all the times the message has gone out before Christ, and now, after his own conversion, can it be that they won't believe him?
When we experience God up close and personal through some event in our lives, we want everyone to know. And we think that our personal experience will be enough to make them see that God is real and loving.
But until we see or hear or experience for ourselves, we can be stubborn.
So, I guess the word has to go out over and over again, until everyone can find a way to believe.
The path to faith is different for each of us. Sometimes it comes in a flash, or it takes its sweet time.
More to come...