Romans 10:17 – So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

This is such a powerful verse. Just twelve words here in the NASB translation. It jumped out to me, however, because I learned a slightly different version as a child (the KJV): So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

Did you catch the difference?

The Greek word for “God” is theos and is used throughout the New Testament (over 1,300 times!). It is used for God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit, which affirms that all three Persons of the Trinity are equally divine—they are all fully God. Theos can also mean simply “god,” but in scripture, the context indicates when it refers to the One True God.

Of the sixty-four translations listed on the BibleGateway website, forty-nine interpret theos as a direct reference to Christ, or the Messiah. I believe this was Paul’s intention: to point us not just to a generic reference of “a” god, or even a broader interpretation of the Trinity as a whole. The context of the verse is salvation in Jesus Christ, and Him alone. The word that saves is the Word of Christ.

We can look at this in two ways.

First, Jesus is the Word of God.

John 1:1-4,14 – In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God [theos], and the Word was God [theos]. He was in the beginning with God [theos]. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. … And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Matthew 1:23 – Behold, the virgin shall be with child and shall bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel, which translated means, “God [theos] with us.”

Jesus came in the flesh as God’s final word of revelation to mankind.

Hebrews 1:1-3 – God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power. When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high.

How often do we wish God could just speak directly to us? Well, He has. And this is what He says: JESUS.

Second, salvation is found in the words Jesus spoke.

Faith comes through hearing…hearing what? The word of Christ. If we desire salvation and all it promises (forgiveness, redemption, adoption, eternal life, a relationship with God, and heaven forever), we must listen to the One who tells us how to obtain saving faith: Jesus.

In Luke 9, Jesus took Peter, James, and John up on the mountain to pray. While they were there, He was transfigured before them: The appearance of His face became different, and His clothing became white and gleaming…they saw His glory (Luke 9:28-32). Elijah and Moses also appeared. When Peter suggested they build three tabernacles and stay on the mountain, God the Father steps in and answers.

Luke 9:35 – Then a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My Son, My Chosen One; listen to Him!”

Jesus possessed the divine authority and commission of God, both by His Father’s approval and command, and by His own deity as the Son of God. It is through His message—His ministry—His words that we are saved. And through His words alone.

So, what did Jesus say?

Jesus said,“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me” (John 14:6).

Jesus said, “I know Him, because I am from Him, and He sent Me” (John 7:29).

Jesus said, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16).

Jesus said, “Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” … “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” … “You must be born again” (John 3:3-7).

Jesus said, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus said, “You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life” (John 5:39-40).

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter” (Matthew 7:21).

Jesus said, “For this is the will of the Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day” (John 6:40).

We just can’t get away from the word of Christ if we want true, biblical, saving faith. You can quote all the scripture you want, but if you leave Jesus out of your theological framework, your faith is built on your own righteousness. It will fail you in the end.

Do you want to go to heaven?

Do you desire eternal life?

Then heed the words of Christ and be saved! There simply is no other way.