Romans 10:5-15
5 Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say?
“The word is near you,
in your mouth and in your heart”
(that is, the word of faith that we proclaim), 9 because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart, leading to righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, leading to salvation. 11 The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
14 But how are they to call on one in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in one of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone to proclaim him? 15 And how are they to proclaim him unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
I just finished a historical novel that was set during the time from the execution of Anne Bolyn through the reign of Elizabeth I. During that time, the English people were forced to convert to the Church of England, established by Henry VIII. This opened the way for the nobility to seize property and assets from convents and monasteries. When Henry’s son, Edward, had his short reign, he wanted everyone to be a Lutheran. His sister, Mary, returned the country to Rome with a vengeance against all protestants and then, Elizabeth returned the country to the Church of England. All of this happened within the typical lifespan of a person of that time. This means that everyone in the court, along with all the other citizens of the country, were compelled to publicly denounce their religious beliefs and openly practice a new religion four times during their lives. Those who chose not to participate died in horrible ways.
This same sort of religious intolerance has played-out at different times all over the world. The only thing Christians seem to agree about is that we disagree with each other in many different ways.
In his letter to the Church in Rome, St. Paul makes it clear that these divisions and persecutions are of human origin and have nothing to do with faith in Jesus. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
How did we get from the first creed, “Jesus is Lord”, which was scratched into walls during the first century, to all this turmoil? What must Jesus think of us when we waste our time devising ways to protect those of “our own faith” from those who might challenge or change it? What will it look like when the Church finally comes to her senses and returns to the source?
Prayer: Lord Jesus: For all the ways we harm each other in Your Beautiful Name, Lord have mercy! AMEN