Have you ever been faced with a situation where you unequivocally had the answer to a problem – yet no one would listen? And then you come to find out that the reason your answer was rejected was either because you didn’t have enough “degrees”, or you didn’t grow up on the “right-side-of-the-tracks”, or even that you weren’t “distinguished enough” (whatever that might mean).
Throughout the Bible, we find that this same thing occurred. In Isaiah 53:1, the prophet Isaiah proclaimed, “Who hath believed our report?” Likewise, in Romans 10:16, the apostle Paul proclaimed (and even repeated Isaiah’s words), “But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?” So now you might ask, “What was the report that many would not believe?”
In Isaiah 53, Isaiah prophesied that the Messiah would come; he would be despised and rejected; he would be smitten of God and afflicted; wounded for our transgressions; bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement [punishment] of our peace was upon him; our stripes were laid upon him; he was oppressed, and he was afflicted; he was taken from prison and unlawfully judged; and he was put to death; yet through all of these afflictions he opened not his mouth [as a lamb brought to slaughter, and as a sheep before the shearers]; for he lifted not his hand against his tormentors and oppressors, nor did he say any vile thing against those who falsely accused him.” Yet, many did not by faith believe this prophecy of the coming Messiah, and trusted either in false gods and/or the traditions of men.
In Romans 10, Paul stated that the people did not hearken to the “glad tidings“. What were the “glad tidings“? Paul unequivocally proclaimed that the Messiah had come – and that his name is Jesus. Paul went on to state that it was Jesus who fulfilled all of Isaiah’s prophecy – and that salvation [that is, to be completely, eternally forgiven for all of our sins and transgressions] can be immediately received when one is: (a) convicted by God’s Word that Jesus is the Messiah; (b) that one sees himself/herself for who he/she truly is – a sinner justly condemned; that Jesus [one who never sinned] was crucified in my place – nailing my sins to his cross; (c) that he was placed in a borrowed tomb – that he arose on the third day – and that he eternally reigns in Heaven at the Father’s right hand; (4) and that when I repent of my sin and through faith believe in my heart that only Jesus Christ can save me – and then I call upon him to do so – He will eternally save me.
John 3:18 states,
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
The question must now be asked, “Do you believe the report of the ‘glad tidings‘?”
Romans 10:9-13 states,
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Be it understood that this is the Word of God. Have you believed the report as presented from God’s Word? Jesus Christ [God the Son] further states, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” [John 14:6]. God’s Word also states in Acts 4:12,
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
This is the answer [the glad tidings] for eternal life. If you have not done so, will you by faith accept the unequivocal answer to your soul’s greatest need – Jesus Christ?
