FAITH: Comes by Hearing the Word of God
Romans 11:11: I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles.
FAITH: Comes by Studying the Word of God
His question is, “Have they stumbled in such a way that they will not rise again?” The answer is an emphatic negative. Their fall has enabled God through His providence to open the gates of salvation wide to the Gentiles. The Jew will see the reality of salvation of the Gentiles, that they are experiencing the blessings of God which the Jew thought could come only to him. This should move him to emulation, not jealousy as we define it. I have an interest in Israel that is not equaled in any other nation. The Jewish people don’t understand this. One Jewish guide talked to me about it. He said, “I want to know why these things are so important to you.” 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 live for the Lord, your life will provoke others to consider Christ as their Savior.
FAITH: Comes by Experiencing the Transforming Work of God
God’s work and God’s word are for the whole world to either receive or reject, and then to face the consequences of that decision.
FAITH: Comes by Praying with the Word of God
Then He said to me, ‘Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles.’ ” Acts 22:21
Dear Father, wherever You send me today, may I represent You well. Amen.
1. McGee, J. V. (1991). Thru the Bible commentary: The Epistles (Romans 9-16) (electronic ed., Vol. 43, p. 53). Nashville.
