Beautiful feet

For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”  –Romans 10:13 (NIV)

I once lived in a neighborhood with a property owners association where the president thought we needed a gate and guard shack at the entrance to the subdivision. The people of the neighborhood voted it down, mostly because we didn’t want our dues increased to pay for someone on patrol. But that wasn’t all of it. The truth is, we enjoyed having a neighborhood where people could come and go unimpeded, a safe and friendly place for visitors to trick-or-treat or enjoy Christmas lights or hang out and watch 4th of July fireworks.

I’m glad there are no “DO NOT ENTER” signs at the entrance to the Kingdom of Heaven. No guard checking credentials or asking what business you have here. EVERYONE is welcome in God’s neighborhood. The only ticket you need is the willingness to ask.

The righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim….  –Romans 10:6-8 (NIV)

Not that being part of God’s neighborhood is a casual thing. It’s not to be taken lightly and for most, the full scope of what it means to be part of this community will be unrealized this side of eternity. But it is accessible. The invitation is closer than we realize and open to all. Rich and poor. Educated and simple. Beautiful and plain. Popular and marginalized. All nations for all time.

 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him.  –Romans 10:9-12 (NIV)

So if everyone is welcome, why isn’t everyone jumping in? Paul attributes the lack of enthusiasm to not having heard the gospel adequately proclaimed. Why the gap? For some, it’s opportunity, though Paul would argue that the truth of God is evidenced all around us in ways that should spark some level of spiritual response. For others, a heart hardened by pride or discouragement keeps them from recognizing truth. Then there are those who have been harmed by someone who was or claimed to be a Christian. For them, the Kingdom of Heaven isn’t a neighborhood that feels like home.

While we can’t control the response, everyone needs to hear the invitation. We don’t know what the Spirit has been doing in the hearts of people we encounter every day, which hearts may be ready to hear and which hearts are still a ways out. We do know God desires that every soul find its way home to Him. So let your life and words preach. No agendas, no egos, just a reflection of the King.

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 (NIV)