The Beautiful Feet of the Gospel
Romans 10:14–15
“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)
The Chain of the Gospel
In these verses, the Apostle Paul lays out a simple yet profound sequence of how the gospel advances. People cannot believe in Christ without hearing of Him. They cannot hear without someone proclaiming the message. And no one proclaims unless they are sent. Every conversion, every transformed life, begins with this divine chain: sending, preaching, hearing, believing, and calling upon the Lord.
This highlights a central truth: the gospel, though powerful, does not travel on its own. God has chosen to spread His saving message through the lips of His people. The call to preach and proclaim is not limited to pulpits—it belongs to every Christian who bears witness to Christ in word and deed.
Why Preaching Matters
Preaching is not merely a religious speech; it is the very means God ordained for the good news to reach the hearts of men and women. Paul reminds us in Romans 1:16 that the gospel is “the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” That power is unleashed when the message is spoken, explained, and applied.
In a world saturated with information, people are still desperately in need of truth. Human souls are not saved by motivational sayings, cultural wisdom, or political solutions. They are saved when they hear about Jesus Christ—His death, His resurrection, His grace freely offered. Faith is birthed by hearing (Romans 10:17), and hearing comes through the Word of Christ.
The Beauty of the Messenger
Paul’s quotation from Isaiah—“How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”—is striking. Feet are not normally considered beautiful, yet when they carry the gospel, even the dust-covered steps of the messenger become radiant. The beauty is not in the messenger’s appearance but in the life-changing message they carry.
Every missionary, every pastor, every believer who shares Christ with a friend participates in this beauty. They are part of God’s redemptive plan, joining in His mission to reconcile the world to Himself.
Our Call Today
These verses challenge us on two levels. First, are we willing to go—to be sent into the world with the gospel? And second, do we value the preaching of the Word enough to support it, pray for it, and sit under it with open hearts?
The world still asks the same questions, still longs for meaning, forgiveness, and hope. The answer is the same as it was in Paul’s day: they must hear of Christ. And they will only hear if we go and tell them.
Conclusion
Romans 10:14–15 is not simply a theological reflection; it is a call to action. The preaching of the gospel is God’s chosen means of salvation, and every Christian has a part to play in it. Whether we are the ones speaking, the ones sending, or the ones supporting, we participate in the beautiful work of making Christ known.
So let us not grow weary or casual about this sacred task. Let us rejoice that God still uses ordinary voices to proclaim an extraordinary message. Truly, how beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!
