The Scripture reading speaks of beautiful feet, but their beauty depends on the heart. What kind of heart?
- A heart moved with compassion for others who are lost in their sins. Romans 10:1-5
- Lost in ignorance of God's Word.
- Lost in a false religious system of works.
- Lost without knowing Christ and submitting to His Gospel.
- A heart that is filled with love for the Scriptures. Romans 10:6-8 cp. Deuteronomy 30:11-16
- The law, delivered by Moses, taught us what righteousness should look like and that we cannot obtain it in our own strength. We need mercy and grace through Christ.
- The Scriptures have been heard, read, studied, memorized and are the focus of daily meditation. The Word, planted in our heart, then comes right from our own mouth.
- See Romans 3:9-26; Galatians 3:21-24; I Timothy 4:12-16; II Timothy 3:14-17.
- A heart that believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He rose from the dead after dying on the cross to save us from our sins. Romans 10:9
- Romans 6:17-18
- I Peter 1:18-25 cp. I Corinthians 15:1-4
- A heart that is made righteous by faith. A heart that desires to confess that faith. Romans 10:10
- Galatians 5:5; Philippians 3:8-10
- Matthew 10:32-33; I John 2:18-25; 4:14-15; Romans 1:14-17
So, let's start with Romans 10:17 and back this up. Here's how beautiful feet operate.
- People get saving faith when they hear and believe the Word of the Gospel (Romans 1:17).
- Preachers (with beautiful feet) must be sent to those people, so that they can hear the Word (Romans 10:15).
- People will turn to the Lord when they believe. They will believe when they hear the Gospel. They will believe the Gospel when someone preaches it to them (Romans 10:9-14).
- People need Christians who are devoted to the Scriptures and keep God's Words in their heart (Romans 10:8).
- People need Christians whose hearts are burdened for their salvation. They will pray and they will either go themselves and preach or provide for other preachers to be sent (Romans 10:1-4, 15). See Philippians 2:14-16; III John 4-8.
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