The message of salvation is often shared through the “Romans Road,” a series of powerful verses that clearly explain how a person can be saved. While we frequently celebrate the “good news” found in these scriptures, we sometimes overlook the weight of the responsibility they place upon us to proclaim that message to others. Romans 10 provides a logical progression that moves from the miracle of salvation back to the human instrument God chooses to use.
The Logical Progression of Salvation
In Romans 10:9-13, the Bible establishes the foundation of how a soul is redeemed:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved”.
This is a glorious truth, but it leads to a series of rhetorical questions that challenge our comfort. The Apostle Paul works backward from the end result to the beginning of the process. He notes that while the final steps (conviction, belief, and the internal call) are the work of the Holy Spirit, the initial steps involve human agency. We cannot force a heart to believe or a mouth to call out in sincerity, but we are responsible for the stage that precedes them.
The Challenge of Missions
The greatest challenge in missions today is not that the Gospel has lost its power or that it is “broken”. Rather, it is the logistical and spiritual reality of those who have yet to hear. A person cannot call upon the Lord if they have not believed, and they cannot believe if they have never heard. This hearing must move beyond a physical sound to a spiritual comprehension, much like a parent asking a child if they “hear” them with the intention of seeing a change in behaviour.
However, the most piercing question Paul asks is: “And how shall they hear without a preacher?”. In countries like Liberia, the need for local, independent churches is vast. Distances that seem short to us in Canada are insurmountable for those in third world countries who lack vehicles or resources for transportation. This means the preacher must go to them. This command to preach is not reserved for a select few; all believers are commanded to go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature. While God could use stones or even a donkey to speak His truth, He has sovereignly chosen to use the “foolishness of preaching” through His people.
The Role of the Sender
The final piece of this spiritual puzzle is the act of sending. Paul asks, “And how shall they preach, except they be sent?”. Missions is a partnership between those who go and those who provide the support necessary for them to reach their destination. There are many who are willing to go, but they require a congregation to stand behind them.
When we solve the problems of being willing to preach and being willing to send, we can trust God with the results. We do not need to worry about the outcome if we are faithful in our part; we are promised that His Word will not return void and that those who sow in tears shall reap in joy.
Conclusion
The chain of salvation requires every link to be intact. If you are here today and have heard the word but never called upon the Lord from your heart, today is the day to move beyond head knowledge to true faith. For the believer, the challenge remains: who has heard the Gospel because of your life, your witness, or your support of missions?. Let us be faithful in our part of the Great Commission, ensuring that every person has the opportunity to hear, believe, and call upon the name of the Lord.
