As we noted yesterday, the founder of Islam claimed to have visions and dreams. It is not surprising that his followers would also insist on visions and dreams in order to believe. They may get visions, but they would be from the devil, not from God. Back in Romans 10, Paul continued his argument regarding faith. We do not seek to bring Christ down from heaven, nor do we descend into the deep to try to bring Christ up from the dead again. He has already risen and He is in heaven. Those who submit to the conviction by the Holy Spirit, repent toward God and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. They do not need to see Him, and God is not giving them a vision of Jesus Christ. In the remaining verses of our text, the emphasis is on the Word of God. It is through the faithful preaching of the Word of God, that the Holy Spirit works in the heart of the lost person and brings the repentant sinner to salvation. Those who are saved do not do anyone a favour in accepting their fraudulent claim that they have seen Jesus and that is why they believed. Which Jesus did they see? The Bible warns that there are false Christs. Paul warned of those who would preach another Jesus. Those who make false claims are speaking of another Jesus. In verse 9 we are told that we must confess with our mouth and believe in our heart that God has raised Jesus from the dead in order to be saved. It does not say if you see a vision of Jesus, and then confess Him you will be saved. In verse 10 we are reminded that true believing comes from the heart, not the head. Biblical salvation is not an intellectual act. Certainly the mind is involved; however, the mind makes the right choice because of the convicting work of God in the heart. In verse 11 we are further reminded of what the Bible says. Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. We are constantly reminded of the necessity of true faith. In verse 12 we are reminded that God does not play favourites. Jews are saved the same way Gentiles are saved. That has always been the case. The Muslims are Gentiles and in order for them to be saved they need to repent toward God and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation. They do not need to see Jesus in order to believe on Him. Those who are waiting to see Him in order to believe in Him, will be shocked to see Him at the great white throne judgment. They will not be happy about that meeting. Notice in verses 14-17 that it is the preaching of God’s Word that is essential. The hearer needs to hear the Word of God and he or she needs to humbly respond in obedience to the Word of God. In verse 15 we are reminded of the importance of preaching the Word of God. In verse 16 we see that not everyone obeys the Gospel. It does not say they do not believe the picture. The Gospel is given with words. The reference is given of Isaiah. He prophesied of the coming of the child born of a virgin. He spoke of the unique nature of this child. Isaiah 53 clearly points to the suffering Saviour. Most Jews reject such a fact. They want a conquering King. Jesus Christ is the conquering King. He came to make it possible for lost sinners to be saved. He conquered the power and curse of sin. He will destroy all those who reject Him as their Saviour and King. In verses18-21 we have a reference to God setting Israel aside for a time and focussing on the Gentiles. Romans 11 talks of how Israel was cut off at the stump and the Gentile saints were “graffed” in at the stump. Gentiles do not replace Israel. Israel is still there and the Saviour is still of the lineage of Israel and of the tribe of Judah. One day Israel will acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour. They will see Him at the end of the Tribulation. Until that time, salvation is strictly by faith. The Muslims who insist on seeing Jesus will miss out. Those who enter the Tribulation may well be on the side of the antichrist. They will likely take his mark and will gladly go around killing those who refuse his mark. The Biblical evidence is that salvation is by faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not by seeing a vision and then believing. We do people a favour when we help them to see the truth and know the forgiveness of God in their hearts. We demonstrate a lack of love for them when we accept their deception and refuse to show them what the Bible says. It is true that people place greater significance on their experience than they do on truth. No one is saved by experience. All that are saved, are saved by repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Older
Top
