SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 10
Bible Verses:
“ Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” (Romans 10:7)
“9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:+9-13)
“ Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. ” (Romans 10:17)
The Israelites did not understand the kind of righteousness that God wants. They thought righteousness comes from righteous works. They could not comprehend a righteousness that comes by faith. That is why they rejected Christ.
Salvation is by faith and faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Hearing comes from someone preaching it. And preaching can be done if someone is willing to carry the gospel to the lost with their beautiful feet.
Paul heart’s desire was that the Israelites will be saved. But despite of his prayer and God’s outstretched hand, Israel did not believe.
Salvation is both for the Jews and the Gentiles. Everyone who calls the name of the Lord will be saved. For the same Lord is Lord of all who richly bless all who believe and confess that Jesus is Lord and God had raised him from the dead.
THOUGHTS:
There are 2 kinds of Righteousness:
- Work righteousness – comes from obeying the law
- Faith righteousness – gift of God to those who trust in Jesus.
The Jews and Pharisees believed that in order to secure a right standing with God, they must do good works. They rejected Christ and clung to the law without realizing that Christ had ended the reign of law on the cross. Paul pointed out that when the sinner receives Christ by faith and confess Him openly, he has proven his faith and received the gift of righteousness and salvation.
Sinners cannot be saved apart from the Word of God. For faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. In Old Testament, the Gentiles would be saved through Israel. But since Israel failed, God’s mercy is extended to the Gentiles. Both the Jews and Gentiles have the same Lord and they are one in Christ.