Is it God or is it Me?

Read Romans 10.

April Rogers wrote, "Sometimes the appropriate theological answer is both/and."  This observation applies to many truths in the Bible.  Many have desired to chose one against the other when the Bible clearly presents both without any problem at all.  Examples would include the deity and humanity of Jesus, the wrath and mercy of God, God's sovereignty and human responsibility.

In the middle of chapter nine, Paul made strong statements of God's control.  Then, in verse 32, he stated that many of the Jews missed God's righteousness "because they did not pursue it by faith."  There is no injustice with God here (v.14).  Believing one against the other is choosing an argument the Bible does not make.  Is God sovereign?  Absolutely.  Are humans held accountable for their personal response to the Gospel?  Yes.  Even, more, those who have come to faith in Christ are sent to communicate the Good News.

Knowing these things about God and yet not knowing who will believe and who will not, prompted the Apostle Paul to instruct the Romans by example and precepts.

1. Be burdened and pray for those who do not know Jesus. (vv.1-4)
These words express the same "anguish" found in 9:1-5.  His fellow kinsmen were trusting in their rituals, in their heritage, and their own self-efforts to appease God.  Paul's heartache for them was that they would come to a place of simple belief.

2. Be understanding as to how a person is saved.  (vv.5-13)
The Holy Spirit prompts the heart, or conscience, of an individual concerning the truth about Jesus (v.8).  A personal decision must be made in order for that truth to be effective.  "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (v.9).

3. Be a believer on mission. (vv.14-17)
Relationships are key to gaining a hearing.  Programs have varying degrees of value.  But at some point someone must communicate the simple truth of the message.  This is not referring to professional pastors and preachers, but all who know Jesus are sent into this world to tell the story.  That is the believer's responsibility.