Friday, 2 January 2026

Romans part 138 - One in Messiah 27

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Romans 10:14 How then shall they call on the One in whom they have not trusted? And how shall they trust in the One they have not heard of? And how shall they hear without someone proclaiming?

I wrote on this same verse last time. As I recall, that was one big "Rabbi Trail" on the "One New Man" and the "One Law" error. Today I want to write about the real subject of this verse, Jewish evangelism. Why do I say "Jewish evangelism" when there is nothing explicitly Jewish in this verse? Let's look back to verse 1 of chapter 10 ...

Romans 10:1 Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation.

Paul sets the theme for the entire chapter in the first verse. So when he says here, in verse 14, How then shall they call ... how shall they trust ... how shall they hear, "THEY" have to be the same "THEY," (specifically Israel) he mentioned previously.

While Paul starts with "someone proclaiming," that's only the first step in a process called discipleship. The "great commission" is not to evangelize ... Mat 28:19a,20a Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, ... teaching them to observe all I have commanded you. The "great commission" is to make disciples.

We must realize that biblical teaching is not done with concepts (conveyed by preaching). Satan has been preached to. He has even read the Bible. His problem is he isn't submitted to it, doesn't believe it and isn't living consistent with he read. Our calling is to live according to the pattern of Yeshua as demonstrated through the lives of the Apostles.

Acts 2:46-47a Day by day they continued with one mind, spending time at the Temple and breaking bread from house to house. They were sharing meals with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God.

This is done by doing, living, and discussing, as we change from ungodly character, into godly character, by helping each other grow into it. Discipleship is not an event, it is a process. Salvation is an important step. That is an event, but our entire walk with God is a process of change, the destiny of which is eternity in His presence. (Does it get any better than that?)

If we tell others to live by these principles without living by them ourselves, we become the very hypocrites so abhorrent in Scripture. Romans 2:3 But you, O man - judging those practicing such things yet doing the same - do you suppose that you will escape the judgment of God?

Let's take our responsibility to proclaim seriously ... Romans 1:16b to the Jew first and also to the Greek. Then, let us carry that forward in discipleship relationships as we fulfill the great commission. Shalom shalom.