Paul has come to the conclusion that the only way to salvation is through faith in Jesus Christ. While the ranks of Jewish converts to Christianity have been growing, the majority of them have rejected Him as another failed Messiah. It’s not too difficult to understand how they would do this–there had been many, many others before Jesus who had claimed to be the Messiah, had even produced some “signs and wonders,” but eventually all were found to be false. By the time Jesus arrived the people were jaded, and distrusting. When He pulled a few miracles out of His hat they came running, but when the going got tough and scary, they moved on to other things. They had given Him His “Fifteen minutes of fame,” now they wanted new adventures.
Paul demonstrates the strength of faith as the means of salvation and the weaknesses in following the Law. He points out that the Jews need to change their attitude with regard to the Law, and that their way is misguided. He demonstrates that what he is advocating is not a new idea but is evidenced in the Hebrew scriptures, though the scriptures have never been properly understood, or accepted. Consequently, the people for the most part have remained disobedient and obstinate.
Romans 10:1-4
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes form God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Paul expresses sadness that the Jewish people have not recognized and accepted Jesus as Messiah. It is his belief that unless they do they will not be saved. The Greek word for zeal is zeo and means to be earnest, fervent. In other words, Paul knows that the Israelites have a passion for God, but he says, that passion, that zeal is not based on knowledge. They know of God, but they don’t know God. Most have never had a personal relationship with God, so they do not understand what God’s righteousness is all about.
God, through Moses, gave the people the Ten Commandments. Instead of implementing these ten into their lives, they used them as stepping-stones to create over 600 more laws to dictate every action of their lives. Instead of seeing that the Ten Commandments were guidelines for their lives, they created a system whereby it was assumed one would earn his or her way into God’s graces by strict adherence to these created rules and regulations. Unwittingly, by so doing they failed to accept and submit to God’s righteousness. They created what amounts to an exclusive religious “club” where God welcomes some, but not others.
Christ’s coming was, in fact, the goal of the Law, and put an end to the Law and end to the “exclusivity” of God. Instead of earning one’s way into God’s graces by following the minutia of the Law, one becomes acceptable to God by faith. In other words, God is more interested in intent than in deeds. The Law said, “If you want to be right with God, you have to do these things, follow these steps, refrain from these others. And if you succeed in doing all these things, God will accept you.”
Righteousness through faith says, “God understands that we are spiritual children who are trying to do the best we can. We aren’t perfect. We make mistakes. We get led astray by our own passions, petty jealousies and greed, as well as by the enemy. We fall on our faces day after day. But our intentions are honorable. We keep trying to grow and to become better people. Thank you, God, for understanding our humanity and accepting us as we are.”
Romans 10:5-13
Moses describes in this way the righteousness that is by the Law: “The one who does these things will live by them.” (Lev. 18:5) But the righteousness that is by faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ (Deut. 30:13) (That is to Bring Christ down) or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (Deut. 30:13) (That is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, it is in your mouth and in your heart,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. As the scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in God will never be put to shame.” (Is. 28:16) For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile–the same creator is God of all and richly blesses all who call on God, for “Everyone who calls on the name of our God will be saved.” (Joel 2:32)
Paul quotes Leviticus and tells the Romans that according to Moses those who follow the Law, and follow it perfectly, will be saved. But of course, we know that it is impossible to follow the Law perfectly. In (Galatians 3:10) Paul explains: “All who rely on observing the Law are under a curse, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who does not continue to do everything written in the book of the Law.’” That is, if one decides to follow the Law, then they are required to follow the whole of the Law, which was impossible to do. In other words, a follower of the Law could never commit a sin, be it in thought, word or deed. They would be spiritually perfect in every way.
Paul demonstrates that to think this way
is spiritual arrogance. To think that one could be a perfect follower of the Law
is just about the same as thinking that by their own actions these “perfect”
followers could have the power to bring Christ down from heaven, or raise Him
for the dead.
Those whose righteousness comes from
faith are not to have that kind of arrogance. You are not to think that way.
Focus on the scripture which helps you to realize that Christ is not some far
away, unconcerned deity, but is as close to you as your mouth, as close to you
as your heart. This is what Paul is doing, and this is the faith that Paul is
proclaiming: “If you confess with
your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him
form the dead, you will be saved.” No Ifs, Ands, or Buts! If you can formulate
those words for yourself, and if you are willing to believe that God raised
Jesus from the dead, you’ll be saved.
Notice that there are two steps you must take:
Now there are some who would say that this is a call to evangelism, but I don’t agree. We can’t all be evangelists. The point for me is that we have all kinds of thought running through our minds all the time: “Should I? Could I? Would I? Is this what I really believe? Maybe yes, maybe no.” Speaking your word, even if only to yourself, is a form of making a decision. Haven’t you ever “hemmed and hawed,” fretted over making a decision about something. When you finally make your mental commitment, don’t you tell yourself, “Yes, that’s what I’m going to do?” The word translated, as “confession” is homologeo, and means, “To assent, covenant, acknowledge, to give thanks, to make a promise.”
Paul says that by believing you are saved and by acknowledging that belief, to yourself if not to others, you are at once declared innocent of wrong-doing (justified), but not only that–you are saved. Paul quotes both Isaiah (28:16) and Joel (2:32) saying “Anyone who trusts in God will never be put to shame;” and “Everyone who calls on the name of our God will be saved.” If you are but willing to put your trust in God, God will never betray you, God will never pull the rug out from under you; God will never go back on God’s word.
There will always be people who are going to give you their opinions, usually stated as fact, about whom God does and does not accept. Notice that the scripture Paul quotes does not say to put your trust in pious people. Paul does not say to put your trust in your parents, or your teachers, or your friends, or the Pope or your Pastor or the Bishop or the famous evangelist. The only one you need put your trust in is God!
Note also that the scripture Paul quotes doe not say only the Catholics or the Mormons or the Baptists or the Jews or those who sleep in the missionary position will be saved. It says E-V-E-R-Y-O-N-E! Now, don’t you feel good???!!!
LIFE APPLICATION