The End of the Law
Notes
Transcript
Introduction
Introduction
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Paul wrote that “Christ is the end of the law.” - Christ did what no other person could have done. He fulfilled the law of God!
Now, why is it so important that we understand this? It’s because as in the context of this chapter, the Jews, and people all around us try their hardest to work their way into Heaven, but that does not work.
Look back at verse 4, the Bible says,
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. 5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
There are only two religions in the world: One may be spelled, “Do.” The other is spelled, “Done.” One is about “works,” the other is about “faith” in what Christ has already done.
Paul is referring to what Moses wrote back in Leviticus 18: 5. In order to be saved by the Law, a person must keep all the precepts of the law without breaking a single one. The only person who kept the whole Law was Jesus Christ.
Many of the Jews then and still today struggle in regard to receiving salvation based upon faith in the finished work of Christ alone. Some were willing to embrace Jesus as the Christ, but they were unwilling to agree that salvation is obtained by faith in Christ alone, apart from adherence to the law or works of the flesh...
The principles Paul shared with the Roman believers centuries ago have not changed. These principles remain the foundation for salvation. There are not many ways of salvation. God has ordained one way for all to come, regardless of Jew or Gentile, Man or Woman, Boy or Girl, Rich or Poor, that way is faith alone in Christ alone.
Let’s take a look at these verses today on the subject of “The End of the Law” -
I-Our Confession Of Christ
I-Our Confession Of Christ
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Now, if you go back to verse 7 and 8, you find:
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) 8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
The Word is nigh, not in heaven or beneath the earth. As close as mouth and heart. Just confess and believe!
This shows us the simplicity of salvation!
Now, many people look at this and only see a public confession, a profession of faith. I believe that is important, but this involves more than merely making a public profession.
Here’s a good one ya’ll…I’ve even found numb-skulls out there that believe a mute person cannot be saved because they can’t confess with their mouths…That’s one of those, “Tell me you don’t study your Bible without telling me you don’t study your Bible...”
As Paul spoke of confessing the Lord Jesus, he spoke of agreeing with God in regard to Christ. The word confess means “to say the same thing about something.” Paul reveals we must agree with God regarding Christ.
As we consider this confession, literally our agreement with God about Christ, there are essentials that we must agree upon. We must agree with:
1) His virgin birth
2) His sinless life
3) His substitutionary death for sin
4) His bodily resurrection from the grave
5) His ascension to the Father
6) His intercession for believers
7) His visible and bodily return.
If one can agree with God in regard to these essentials of the faith, one can be saved from sin and reconciled to God.
We are to confess “the Lord Jesus.”
Before moving on, I want to point out the word Lord - “Lord” is the title used for master, or reference to a god. To confess Jesus as Lord was to equate Him with God. The word “Lord” signifies His power and authority as God.
The title is so important that in the book of Acts, Jesus is referred to as Savior two times and as Lord 105 times. In the entire New Testament, Savior is used 24 times and Lord 711 times. When the titles are mentioned together, Lord is used first and Savior is second. The title “Lord” is very important. Let me ask, “Is Christ Lord of your life? Is he your master?”
II-Our Conversion In Christ
II-Our Conversion In Christ
Romans 10:9–10 (KJV 1900)
9 ...thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Confession leads to conversion…
Paul reveals agreeing with God in regard to the fulfilment of Christ results in salvation. He doesn’t say it is possible for one to be saved or that they might be saved. When one agrees with God concerning Christ and believes on Him by faith, salvation is the result! Rom. 10:13—For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
I don’t want to be guilty of minimizing the Gospel, but often we add to what the Lord has proclaimed through His Word.
A lot of emphasis today is placed on certain feelings or emotions, the reciting of a particular prayer, or other expectations of men. I hear people use terms like “salvation experience.” - God says we must agree with Him in regard to Christ and believe within our hearts in order to be saved. That’s it! There are no other expectations or stipulations.
Simply agree with God about Christ and believe on Him by faith, and thou shalt be saved! Salvation is not secured or preserved by emotions or a feeling of being saved, praying the right words to a prayer, or meeting the legalistic expectations of organized religion. It is faith alone in Christ alone!
III-Our Confidence In Christ
III-Our Confidence In Christ
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
God’s offer of salvation will not disappoint us.
Whosoever believes in Him will not be ashamed.
The word translated “ashamed” comes from a Greek word that can also be translated disgraced, humiliated, disappointed, disillusioned, embarrassed, blush with shame.
We will face disappointment, but we will never be disappointed, embarrassed, humiliated, disgraced, or discouraged with God’s salvation.
I’ve said it often and I’ll say it ‘til I die…If you can lose your salvation, you never had it! If you can fall from your faith, you never had it! If you can deconstruct your faith, you never had it to begin with! And this verse proves it! I’m not giving you my opinion, it’s in the Word of God!
There is confidence in Christ!
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
We can have the same confidence Paul had!
IV-Our Conformity In Christ
IV-Our Conformity In Christ
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
Paul knew the ways and traditions of the Jews. He knew they were adamant in their beliefs and committed to their long held traditions. Most of them refused to embrace salvation by faith alone, and Gentiles being included in God’s redemptive plan. Paul reminds them that the Lord had established the bounds and requirements for salvation, not man.
This verse tells us the precious truth that God does not play favorites. Anyone who hears His call and responds in faith will be saved by the grace of God. You see, there are many places here on this earth where you and I would not be accepted. Yet, when we come to the Lord by faith, we can and will be saved and accepted of Him. Compared to that, what else really matters?
V-Our Calling To Christ
V-Our Calling To Christ
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Paul declares one of the greatest statements in Scripture. The grace of God that brings salvation has been extended to all people. It is a “whosoever” salvation. All who call upon the name of the Lord, believing in Christ by faith, shall be saved. He will reject none!
There was a prophecy made in the Old Testament book of Joel...
32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered:
For in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance,
As the Lord hath said,
And in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.
Salvation is for all men, both Jew and Greek.
Salvation is by grace through faith in Christ, not in the O.T. Law and works. These two methods are contrary one to another.
Christ was the end of the Law...
Righteousness by the law says salvation is for the Jewish nation primarily, but righteousness by faith says, salvation is for whosoever.
Righteousness by the law says salvation is based on the works of the law, but righteousness by faith says, salvation is by faith alone.
Righteousness by the law says salvation is dependent upon self-righteousness, but righteousness by faith says, salvation is dependent on God’s righteousness.
Righteousness by the law cannot save you, but righteousness by faith brings salvation.
Righteousness by the law leads to pride, but righteousness by faith glorifies the Lord.
We are to trust in God’s way for salvation. This is the fourth time Paul says in Romans, “shall be saved.”
In this one verse we see the simplicity of salvation. It couldn't be made any clearer. If the sinner will call upon the Lord for salvation, he will be saved.
Conclusion
Conclusion
Confession, belief, and faith in Christ is the only way to God. Regardless of your race, religion, or rank, all people need the Lord, and all people have one way of salvation, and that is Jesus Christ.