Romans 10:17 - Building Faith.
Romans 10:17 (NKJV) So then faith comes by
hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Romans 10:17 (ESV) So faith comes from
hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
Romans 10:17 (CWR) So faith comes from
listening to what God says, including His word about
the Lord Jesus Christ.
INTRODUCTION
This verse is an important statement of the
nature and source of true faith. Genuine faith is
not a blind confidence to be exercised in the
absence of adequate evidence. Faith is our
conviction about things that we cannot see (Heb. 11:1),
and this conviction must be founded upon
knowledge, a knowledge based upon the Word of God, the
message about Christ. As a means of developing a
transforming and enduring faith, there is no substitute
for the regular and earnest study of the Bible.
[SDA Bible Commentary]
COMMENTARY PEARLS
The creative energy that called the worlds
into existence is in the word of God (Psa. 33:6,
9). This word imparts power; it begets life.
Every command is a promise; accepted by the will,
received into the soul, it brings with it the life of
the Infinite One. It transforms the nature and
re-creates the soul in the image of God (2 Pe. 1:4).
{Ed 126}
"Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by
the word of God." Rom. 10:17. The Scriptures are
the great agency in the transformation of
character. Christ prayed, "Sanctify them through Thy
truth; Thy word is truth." John 17:17. If studied
and obeyed, the word of God works in the heart,
subduing every unholy attribute. The Holy Spirit
comes to convict of sin, and the faith that
springs up in the heart works by love to Christ,
conforming us in body, soul, and spirit to His own
image. Then God can use us to do His will. The
power given us works from within outwardly,
leading us to communicate to others the truth that
has been communicated to us.
The truths of the word of God meet man's
great practical necessity--the conversion of the
soul through faith. These grand principles are
not to be thought too pure and holy to be
brought into the daily life. They are truths which
reach to heaven and compass eternity, yet their
vital influence is to be woven into human
experience. They are to permeate all the great things
and all the little things of life
Received into the heart, the leaven of
truth will regulate the desires, purify the
thoughts, and sweeten the disposition. It quickens the
faculties of the mind and the energies of the soul. It
enlarges the capacity for feeling, for loving. {COL
100, 101}
COMMENTARY ILLUSTRATION
Faith Is Gods Word Activated
God promises thousands of times in the
Bible that he will act on our behalf if we obey
him. When I read those promises, it gives me
confidence. I know that if I do what God asks of me, he
has promised a certain result.
For most of the year 1981, I was
depressed. The year before, I had moved to Southern
California to start Saddleback Church. I was exhausted
emotionally, mentally, physically, and spiritually. I
felt like I had a cloud over my head that I just
couldnt escape.
Ill never forget some of the verses
that really activated my faith: But I will not
drive them out in a single year, because the land
would become desolate and the wild animals too
numerous for you. Little by little I will drive them
out before you, until you have increased enough
to take possession of the land (Exodus
23:29-30 NIV).
In Exodus 23:29-30, God essentially says
to the Israelites, You know these enemies?
Theyre bigger than you. But Im not going to give
you the whole land in the first year. Youre
going to take it over a little bit at a time - one
battle at a time. Youre growing stronger. And
when youre strong enough to handle it all,
youll get it all.
When I read those verses, it was like a
promise coming directly to me. I realized I didnt
have to accomplish it all in the first year. I
was going to spend the rest of my life serving
Jesus Christ, and I could do it on his timetable
and at his pace.
That understanding gave me confidence to
take on enormous goals. The Word activated my
faith. Gods Word can activate your faith too.
Most of us arent confident or
courageous. In fact, were often scared to death!
Were afraid to take risks, afraid of failure, and
afraid of dying. But people of faith should walk
confidently through life.
Do you want to be a person of faith?
Faith is Gods Word activated. The Bible says in
Romans 10:17, Faith comes from hearing the
message, and the message is heard through the word
about Christ (NIV).
Gods Word not only tells you what to
do. It also gives you the power to do it and
increases your faith as you do it. [Daily Devotional
by Rick Warren:
https://pastorrick.com/devotional/]
CLOSING THOUGHT
Every day I have the honor of sitting down
with a book that contains the words of the One
who created me. Every day I have the opportunity
to let him give me a thought or two on how to
live. If I don't do what he says, he doesn't burn
the book or cancel my subscription. If I
disagree with what he says, lightning doesn't split
my swivel chair or an angel doesn't mark my
name off the holy list. If I don't understand
what he says, he doesn't call me a dummy. In
fact, he calls me "Son," and on a different page
explains what I don't understand. In the Eye of the
Storm by Max Lucado [Inspirational SB]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Romans 10:17 - Building Faith.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230127-0859.html
Romans 10:17: Getting More Faith.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200811-0957.html
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2015/20150728-1429.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
