Gospel Tension

"Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

Romans 10:13-15

There is this tension in Romans 9 and 10. I'm seeing it as a healthy tension. It reflects the mystery of God and the power of the Gospel. Yesterday I read these verses from Romans 9:

¹⁴What then shall we say? Is God unjust? Not at all! ¹⁵For he says to Moses,"I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion." ¹⁶It does not, therefore, depend on man's desire or effort, but on God's mercy.

So here's the tension. God is Sovereign and will have compassion on whom He will have compassion AND it does not depend on people's desire or effort. In the next chapter Paul makes it equally clear that people can only hear and come to faith in Jesus when people preach/share the Gospel with them. People can't go unless they are sent. We all have a part in this Kingdom adventure. Our heart's desire and effort for Jesus matters. People can hear the good news, believe it and call on the Name of the Lord. Salvation happens.

No answers today. I'm wrestling with the tension and in awe of our great God!

Father, You are awesome and mighty! You can do whatever You want. Thank you for deciding to use me in building Your Kingdom this day. Wow, You are powerful if You can do that! I am weak and needy, yet you use me. Only You could do that! I worship You today.