Our daily reflections follow the M'Cheyne Bible reading plan, designed for those who want to read the whole Bible in one year. Each reflection focuses on one of the chapters from that day's readings. Darllenwch rhain yn Gymraeg.
Lord, open my ears to hear what you have to say to me; open my heart to love your word, and open my mind to understand your truth.
Paul in this chapter continues his argument that we are made right with God through believing in Christ. But most Jews, and all Gentiles, would be completely nonplussed by this. Jews would need the Scriptures explaining to them. Gentiles would need to start even further back. From this comes the missionary drive that was to lead to Christianity becoming a world faith.
Romans 10.14–15a provides the logic of evangelism. 'But how can they call to him for help if they have not believed? And how can they believe if they have not heard the message? And how can they hear if the message is not proclaimed? And how can the message be proclaimed if the messengers are not sent out?'
Europe today is sometimes described as 'post-Christian'. The huge social changes driven by economics and technology have led to sharp falls in churchgoing and a widespread assumption that Christianity has had its day. The challenges facing the Church today are in some ways greater than those facing it in the first century. Then, the gospel was new and exciting. Now, people assume they know what it is, even if they don't. But the logic of evangelism is the same: messengers (all of us) proclaim the message so people can 'hear' it (understand and be moved by it), believe it and respond to it. Christians today are exactly where Paul was 2,000 years ago, called to preach Christ to a world that needs him as much as ever.
God, help me to be a courageous and effective witness for Jesus. Make me the sort of person who will draw people to him.
This reflection was written by Mark Woods, Bible Society's Editor
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