So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world" (Rom. 10:17,18). Have you ever heard this question from someone who is just determined to find something about God that proves he is unjust: "What about a guy on a desert island that somehow grew up there alone, and never heard about Jesus, and never saw a Bible; and never even learned a language or how to communicate?" Well, the second verse in our text passage tells that story. It actually is a quote from the 19th Psalm that more perfectly goes like this: "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth his handywork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night sheweth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard. Their line is gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world." That is right my friend, all it takes is a conscience and a heart in order for one to open his eyes and ears, and to see the reality and the overwhelming goodness of God. It is already in our design to seek after God by faith, and he has not hidden himself from anyone, but rather man has hidden himself from God in his sins and stubborn unbelief. The apostle Paul said the same in two sermons in the book of Acts: "Nevertheless he [God] left not himself without witness, in that he did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17). And again; "That they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him, and find him, though he be not far from every one of us" (Acts 17:27). All of mankind is without excuse for not seeking and finding the one true God and his son Jesus Christ, and those who do not repent and believe on him will be without excuse on the day of judgment. There will be skeptics on the day of judgment who are left out, that will see the proverbial man on the desert island go into glory.

The only reason men don't see and hear God is because they do not WANT to see or hear God. Again Paul made this inexcusable spiritual fact crystal clear: "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse" (Rom. 1:19,20). Everything in the creation continually and in all places cries out to all mankind, saying, "Behold, I am God, and I am VERY GOOD!" The divine wisdom that God gave to Solomon, the ancient king of Israel, declared the same: "Doth not wisdom cry? and understanding put forth her voice? She standeth in the top of high places, by the way in the places of the paths. She crieth at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the coming in at the doors. Unto you, O men, I call; and my voice is to the sons of man" (Prov. 8:1-4). As all things of the creation continually show us that God is both real, and nothing but good; so it is that everything that is WRONG with the world we live in constantly says, "Behold, I am man, and I have worked very hard at destroying every good thing that God has given me and done for me." Solomon had that one covered as well: "Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions" (Eccl. 7:29). If only man could learn to do things God's way instead of his own way; he would be so blessed and have such joy and peace in his life. I'm just thankful that God has made me able to allow him to be God, and me to be his undeserving servant. I will spend the remainder of my time in this life doing all I can to both show and convince as many as I can, to just let God's untold love and goodness get through to them like he wants it to. Amen.