Chocolates

"How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:14-17


Partly quoting the Old Testament prophet Isaiah, the apostle Paul in writing to the early believers in Rome also said that faith comes by hearing.

Hearing entails that someone is speaking (could be audible-ears, written and sign language-eyes, braille-touch or through a combination of all plus through the other senses).

One's faith in the Risen Christ or the gospel starts with someone speaking who was sent to share this good news to them and believing in it. It is that simple. But simple does not mean easy.

Someone tried to explain this process with trying to describe what chocolates are to people who've lived in a desserted island who have never heard of what it is, much less seen or tasted one.

Yes, try it.

Now, you could describe where it came from, what color it is, its texture, aroma and how it tastes like. But aside from that, how could you really communicate or even transfer the satisfaction you get while you are eating it?

Faith comes by hearing, but strengthening or continuing on that faith entails the hearer personally experiencing what he has heard. Or in our example, after hearing everything about chocolates and believing it, the next step would be to actually see one, touch one, smell one and taste one. And to continually partake of one daily.

Jesus taught His disciples to pray to our Father to give them is their daily bread. Yes, He is talking not only about literal food but also the spiritual kind -- one which we need to nourish our spirit, because we are not mere flesh and blood but are our Creator's creation, made in His own image.

We are not mere wild animals which miraculously through evolution developed to the point that we are no longer savages but are intelligent, cultured, sophisticated and moral beings.

I know it will take some more explaining for many of you to believe that, but going back to the analogy of an unknown chocolate, until you have actually tasted one will you be able to totally believe what those who have, is telling you how truly awesome it is.