… for, “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 anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:13-15 NIV
How beautiful are our feet?
This post is a carry-on from the previous Considerations post where the question “Are Christians distracted from this given mission” was asked. Beautiful feet belong to those who bring the good news of Jesus Christ according to the verses above. How well is the body of Christ doing that? Would we characterise our feet as beautiful, bringing hope, peace and love to those outside of the body of Christ?
What should be our agenda?
As mentioned in the last post, at times believers seem to be more concerned about other issues that distract us from the Great Commission we are called to. This includes an agenda for some Christians to push Christian values, lifestyles and habits on non-Christians. When were followers of Christ given permission to judge non-Christians or tasked with the initiative to force them to adopt values, habits and lifestyles associated with Christianity?
Changing behaviors is secondary to salvation and it is not our responsibility to make others conform to Biblical standards. That is the work of the Holy Spirit in each of us after salvation. As the Great Commission states, we are called to go and make disciples… baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit… teaching these new disciples to obey all the commands given by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). Once the Lord has drawn persons to Himself, it is our responsibility to disciple others. It is not about making converts to a lifestyle but inviting individuals to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and allowing Him to do the transformations in each of us.
Religion or relationship?
When we are distracted by the goal of converting others to Christianity instead of inviting them to a relationship with Christ, our feet can look more judgmental and not so much beautiful. We can focus more on their behaviors and lifestyle choices and not the fact that a person needs to personally know Christ and not a religion. Disagreeing with others on matters such as beliefs, values and lifestyles should not stop us from extending kindness, compassion, empathy and love. Consider the greatest example of Jesus on how to co-exist with others who are different than us. Let’s mirror His interactions with others such as the woman at the well who was shunned by her community because of her lifestyle (see John 4:1-42). Or the woman who was caught in adultery and was about to be stoned by the local religious leaders (see John 8:1-11).
The mission’s message
There is nothing beautiful about the body of Christ when we partake in harsh judgmental actions and speech against non-Christians. What Paul describes as beautiful, are the feet who bring this message of Jesus Christ:
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13 NLT
This is the message that changes everything! This is the message we are called to convey. It’s a message of salvation from the consequences of sin and an invitation to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.
To be carried by beautiful feet
But…
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 anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
Romans 10:14-15
Christians being off message hinders the Good News from reaching those who need to know Jesus Christ. Not only is the message prevented from being shared with others but the messenger’s feet become sullied when the choice is made to spread messages that convey hate, judgment and harsh criticism. And there is nothing beautiful about that.
Considerations 