Salvation Is Available For All
By Rev. Ron Purkey
Guest Columnist
Read Romans 10:13-17
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
With all the “phobias” going around these days we now have a new one. “Christo phobia” — or the fear of Jesus Christ.
There are many people who are so afraid, they will not even talk about Jesus. They will not even consider his claims and statements. Should we be afraid of Jesus? The answer is “yes” and “no” depending upon where we are in relationship to him. Let’s look at what the Bible has to say on this matter.
Romans 10:13 gives us a statement that is important. Everyone who sincerely calls on the name of the Lord will be saved from God’s wrath. That’s good news; that’s the gospel. This verse gives us a remarkable statement, which Paul draws from the Old Testament, to enforce his argument salvation is by faith (see Joel 2:32). “How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? As it is written, how beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things” (see Romans 10:14-15).
The Apostle Paul shows there must be messengers of the gospel who have credentials from God. Paul began this epistle with the claim he was a called apostle of Jesus Christ (see Romans 1:1). There follows a logical sequence. “Preachers” must be sent in order for people to hear that they might believe, for they would not know how to call upon God. Paul pinpoints everything on believing. This, therefore, necessitated his (and our) ministry.
The result of this belief, for both Jews and Gentiles (see Romans 10:12), is they will not be put to shame (see Romans 10:11). We often think of coming to Jesus as a chance for our sins to be wiped away. And Jesus certainly does that. But he also removes our shame, delivering us in our everyday circumstances. If we call on Jesus, though the consequences may be difficult, we will never regret it.
The missionary heart of Paul comes out in Romans 10:14–17. Salvation is by faith, and faith comes “by hearing …. the word of God” (see Romans 10:17). But unbelieving sinners cannot hear unless we tell them. God needs people with beautiful feet (see Isaiah 52:7) to carry the gospel to the lost. Remember, Paul continued caring, praying, and sharing the good news even when things were difficult.
If you are a Christian, someone told you the good news of the gospel of Christ, you believed it, and you acted on it. Now it’s your turn to tell someone else. Stay clean and serve the Lord.
He will bless you for your faithfulness.
Read Ron Purkey’s Bible Study Outlines at www.rtcol.com/purkey free on the website. Purkey has been an ordained Baptist Minister for 50 years.