Power of the Word

The Word is near to you

on your lips and in your heart

Romans 10:8

Communication is a major issue when driving a special needs school bus. Some children don't comprehend what you are saying while others can't clearly articulate what they are trying to say. Some understand what you are saying but have difficult behaviors they can't control. Some are living through or have had traumatic experiences and express their anger or pain in socially unacceptable ways. 

Communication is a major issue with Paul. Paul expects that God’s Word actually gets inside of people. It is not just spoken, but is a power that changes hearts and lives. In Paul’s day the heart is where the physical, intellectual and spiritual life, including the will, emotions, and desires, while the mouth gives expression to what is in the heart. Thus, on your lips and in your heart.

Words like believing and faith suggest agreeing to something -- whether or not that can be belief is demonstrated as true. Paul’s claim is that the good news actually changes people. For one thing, it brings people together where long-time distinctions no longer apply.

For example, substitute the word “trust” everywhere you read the word “believe” in the Romans 10:8-13. Paul’s words give a slightly different meaning. What might it mean to actually trust that God raised Jesus from the dead, and not simply to believe it? Or to trust in God and not only to believe about God?

Belief in our hearts does not make us people who say the right words. It makes us people like Abraham and Sarah (Romans 4:13-25), who hope against hope and do not weaken or waver in facing today's great challenges. It makes us people who believe and trust God in the core of our being. It makes us people who believe and trust that God is a God of life, and no matter how rough things are God will hear when we cry out.

Do you believe that? Do you trust that?