FAITH: Comes by Hearing the Word of God
Romans 10:21: But to Israel he says: “All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
FAITH: Comes by Studying the Word of God
Through Paul, God was stretching out His arms of love to His disobedient people, yearning over them, and asking them to return. God’s favor to the Gentiles did not change His love for the Jews. God wants to use us to share the Gospel with both Jews and Gentiles. God can use our feet and our arms just as He used Paul’s. Jesus Christ wept over Jerusalem and longed to gather His people in His arms! Instead, those arms were stretched out on a cross where He willingly died for Jews and Gentiles alike. God is long-suffering and patient “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). 1
FAITH: Comes by Obeying the Word of God
Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles. For so the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have set you as a light to the Gentiles, That you should be for salvation to the ends of the earth.’ ” Acts 13:46–47
If you refuse to change your heart, God will change it for you. Best to yield to Him right now and experience His leadership over your will and over your ways.
FAITH: Comes by Experiencing the Transforming Work of God
Will you grab His outstretched nail pierced hand and be set free from sin?
FAITH: Comes by Praying with the Word of God
“You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Acts 7:51
Dear Father, please forgive me. I do not want a hard heart… in Jesus Name. Amen.
1. Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 549). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books. IL: Victor Books.
