Faith From Hearing

Date: February 3, 2023

I use the BLESS method every morning for my devotional. 

B - Bible Verse
L - Listen for God's Word and pray
E - Explore the History and meaning
S - Study and savor
S - Summarize and Share

You can read more about it by going to: What is a Faith Journal?

Bible Scripture Verse – Romans 10:17

"Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ."

Listen for God’s Voice

Heavenly Father, Thank you for your word and for the truth it contains. I pray that you would speak to me through this verse and show me how it applies to my life. Help me to have faith that comes from hearing your message and understanding the importance of your word. I trust in your love and wisdom, and I pray that you would continue to guide me and teach me through your word. Thank you for always being there for me and for the blessings you have given me.

Explore History – Who wrote it, when and to what audience? Key people in the story?

This letter to the Romans was written by the Apostle Paul around AD 57-58 and was addressed to the Christian community in Rome, which was made up of both Jewish and Gentile converts.

In this verse, Paul is emphasizing the importance of hearing the message of the gospel in order to have faith. He stresses that faith comes from hearing the message, which is the word about Christ.

The letter to the Romans is considered one of the most important works in the New Testament, because it lays out many of Paul's theological beliefs and teachings about salvation, grace, and the role of faith in a Christian's life. This verse, and the entire letter, continues to be widely studied and discussed by Christians today.

Study and Savor – Key Words

In this verse, Paul is emphasizing the importance of hearing the gospel message in order to have faith in Christ. He stresses that faith comes from hearing the message, which is the word about Christ, and that it is through hearing the message that people come to understand the gospel and place their faith in Jesus.

"Faith": belief and trust in God, including a belief in the truth of the gospel message.

"Comes from hearing": faith originates from hearing the message of the gospel.

"Message": the good news about Jesus Christ and the salvation he offers through his death and resurrection.

"Word about Christ": refers to the message of the gospel and all that it entails, including the teachings and actions of Jesus.

"Heard": to understand and take in the message through preaching, teaching, or other means.

Summarize and Share

This verse is all about the importance of getting to know Jesus and learning about him through the Bible.

So what does that look like in real life? Well, it could mean taking time each day to read the Bible, going to church, and hanging out with other believers who will lift you up in your faith.

So many of you are already doing this by writing in your journals daily! But if you aren’t, maybe you can start by setting aside 10 minutes each day to read the Bible and pray. Or, maybe you join a Bible study group at your church, or find a Christian mentor who can help guide you in your faith journey.

Keep growing in faith by actively seeking out opportunities to hear and study the word of Christ. Whether that's through daily devotions, a Bible study group, or listening for God's voice in your life, make sure you're taking steps to deepen your relationship with Him. If you do, you'll experience the fullness of God's love and grace, and you'll be able to share that love and grace with others.

Bible Cross Reference

John 17:17 - "Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth." This verse highlights the importance of God's word in sanctifying us, or setting us apart for holy living. Similarly, Romans 10:17 emphasizes the role of hearing and learning from the word of Christ in producing faith.

Ephesians 6:17 - "Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." Here, the word of God is portrayed as a powerful weapon for believers to use in their spiritual battles. In the same way, the word of Christ in Romans 10:17 is seen as a source of faith and strength for believers.

2 Timothy 3:16 - "All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness." This verse emphasizes the importance of the Bible as a source of truth and guidance for believers. In the same way, Romans 10:17 highlights the role of hearing and learning from the word of Christ in producing faith.

James 1:21 - "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls." This verse emphasizes the importance of receiving and embracing the word of God in order to experience salvation. Similarly, Romans 10:17 highlights the role of hearing and learning from the word of Christ in producing faith.