Faith comes by hearing.
Today it was my fullest intention to write about Pride and Humility. Something had come to me yesterday and it had developed. I find it no surprise that I am now, however, writing about something completely different. Today is Sunday and this afternoon I thought as the weather is now changing it would be appropriate to do a little work in the field. As many of you know I am staying in a friends farmhouse which is located on a piece of land in rural Brittany. It’s unconditional, my choice, but I just think that there are some bit’s that would be beneficial to do and I’m here.
There’s a large field that has laid fallow for some time that is waiting for someone with a tractor mower to cut it all down. Around the edges it’s necessary to trim around the fence-line where the mower won’t be able to reach. After my studies the sky looked like it had no rain to offer so off we went to start strimming around the edges. It’s a rather large field so it was not something I would be doing all in one go, maybe an hour or two and do some more another day.
After about an hour the strimmer line had nearly all been used up and needed some more fitting to the spool. I inspected the strimmer spool head and it was not a type I was familiar with nor could I work out how to open it? The owner of the machine was John, the retired fireman who lives about 10 minutes away. I called him to ask for help with instructions of how to fit the new line and he said he would pop up soon.
When he turned up he showed me how to change it and to be honest, though I have a good mechanical knowledge you wouldn’t have known without somebody showing you. He enquires as to when I am intending to doing the strimming. I tell him I am going to continue now. “Continue? You can’t do it today” he says ”You can’t make any noise today, its Sunday!” He explains that nobody is allowed to make any mechanical noise whether personal, DIY, or agricultural. Basically, you are not allowed to do any work on a Sunday! By Order! Ooop’s!
I genuinely did not know. Was I innocent for not knowing or does that make someone guilty for not ensuring that everyone knows?
We chatted about a few things like there is actually little difference with the no noise rule and any other day as it really is that quiet. Before he left, I promised not to make any further noise today and to put the tools away.
As I contemplated the predicament of whether I was innocent for lack of knowledge, I was reminded of the scripture in the book of Romans, chapter 10, about faith in Jesus Christ. “How shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard.” It’s a tremendously important scripture that around it unravels a fundamental stepping stone of truth in basic faith, in reverse, by logical questioning.
In Romans 10:9-10 we find the pathway to Salvation, Repent, Believe and Confess on The Lord Jesus, and the simplicity and accessibility to the Gospel in, 10:11 and repeated in 10:13, ”Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Returning to our problem for “those who have not heard,” “how can they call?” and “how shall they hear unless someone preaches?” also “how can they preach unless they are sent?” Which if we look at 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing, by hearing the word of God,” there is the answer.
Somebody needs to be sent with the message.
They need to speak the word of God.
Somebody can then hear the word of God.
The person can then choose to accept the word by hearing, believing, repenting, confessing or reject it.
The consequences of me ‘not knowing’ about the noise free day will not be as detrimental to me or anybody as not “Hearing the Word of God,” will you make sure that your neighbour knows?
God Bless