We are finishing up Romans 10 today by focusing on this passage:
14 How are they to call on one they have not believed in? And how are they to believe in one they have not heard of? And how are they to hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How timely is the arrival of those who proclaim the good news.”16 But not all have obeyed the good news, for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” 17 Consequently faith comes from what is heard, and what is heard comes through the preached word of Christ.
(NET)
The apostle Paul had come face-to-face with the risen Christ. What an evangelism experience that must have been! In this passage of his letter to the Roman church he emphasizes the importance of evangelism or to put it simply, "sharing the gospel message".
If it weren't crucial, necessary that we individually and corporately (as churches) tell others about Jesus and urge them to accept Him as Savior, why would Paul have emphasized this to the Romans? Why would Paul have, then, dedicated the rest of his life to missions work?
Depending on how you define an "unreached people group", there are between 3,000 to 6,000 of them. The Joshua Project website1 explains the scope of the problem:
Data from the International Mission Board (IMB) of the Southern Baptist Convention, the largest denominational mission board in the world, suggests that there are approximately 3,000 ethnic people groups that are not only unreached, but also completely unengaged meaning there is no known active on-site church planting effort underway and few if any know believers. To say that a people group is unengaged means there are definitely no missionaries, in all likelihood no outreach, no church or fellowship of believers, no Christian materials, and few if any Bibles in these people groups. While it is certainly possible the Lord has supernaturally appeared to and been at work among an unengaged group without outside involvement, this would not be the typical way He has ordained for the spread of the Gospel. He commanded the Church to go. There are millions of individuals in these unengaged people groups that have never heard of Jesus or His work of redemption.
The site goes on to quote Wycliffe Bible Translators, stating that of the 6800 known languages, about 1800 of them have no Bible in their mother tongue. What a stunning translation need!
A huge number of Christians want to dismiss this Romans passage as only applying to preachers and/or foreign missionaries. That would be a mistake. It was originally intended for a group of local believers (the young Roman church) initially. But, more than that, it speaks to each of us. In fact, Paul is issuing an "imperative", a command.
What we tend to do as believers is to insulate ourselves, surround ourselves with those of like mind and keep as far away as possible those who would challenge our beliefs. Well, an untested belief - - one that can't tolerate the scrutiny of others is no belief at all. When we closet ourselves away, our faith becomes increasingly weaker. Even if it takes some knocks and nicks, we need to get our faith out into an unbelieving world.
Yesterday my heart was grieved as my pastor presented an impromptu, short-term missions opportunity in southern LA, where flood waters have damaged many homes. Unfortunately, the trip clashes with prior commitments Hubster and I have made for this weekend. The thing is, though, there are opportunities to share the gospel every day, if we will take them.
Will we take them, fellow Believers?
Heavenly Father, this passage hits me like a rock because I know I could be doing more to spread the gospel. I need a mighty infusion of Your supernatural boldness, to make the most of the opportunities you put in my path. I also know that I can be more faithful in my giving to missions efforts, Lord, in accordance with how You have blessed me. In Jesus' name, amen.
Source:
https://joshuaproject.net/resources/articles/has_everyone_heard
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