SCRIPTURE: ROMANS 10
MEMORY VERSES:
“If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)
Paul was praying to God that the Israelites may be saved. The Israelites are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. They did not know the righteousness that comes from 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.
The righteousness that is by the law as described by Moses is: “The man who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith is this: “If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (v. 9) As the Scripture says, “Any one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” (v. 11)
There is no difference between Jew and Gentile – the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (v. 13)
Process to undergo to make the Gospel known:
- He must know whom to believe. (v. 14a)
- He must hear before he can believe. (v. 14b)
- Someone must preach to him. (v. 14c)
- Someone has to send the preacher. (v. 15)
Isaiah predicted that those who did not seek God found Him. Those who did not ask for God, God revealed himself to them. However, concerning Israel, he says the Israelites are disobedient and obstinate people.
THOUGHTS:
The Jews established customs and traditions in addition to God’s laws to make themselves acceptable to God. But human effort, no matter how sincere, can never substitute the righteousness God offers to us by faith. The only way to earn salvation is to believe in Christ by faith.
In order for God’s message of salvation to be made known to the people, they must hear it. And how can they hear it? We are to take part by sharing it. Are you willing to do it?
Many Jews refused to believe in the Messiah. But many Gentiles believed. Some people may look religious but they are spiritually blind. And many who never go to church are sometimes the most responsive to God’s message. So do not judge people based on outward appearances.