Romans 10:5-21

MAIN IDEA:

Romans 10:5–13 ESV

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Four reflections of faith-based righteousness

Verses 5-7 — Faith-based righteousness articulates the sufficiency of Christ is not dependent on personal actions.

The opposite of this reflection is the fourth symptom of an unbelieving heart from last week ~ An unbelieving heart decides that Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection is not sufficient. If salvation is received because the equation is “Jesus + something I did”, then salvation can only be kept when the same equation is met. That would mean any good works that we did came from the desire to keep our salvation. When we do good things for the sole purpose of a returned gain, our motives are selfish and not worshipful. Galatians 5:17 says, “A person’s selfish desires are set against the Spirit, and the Spirit is set against one’s selfish desires. They are opposed to each other, so you shouldn’t do whatever you want to do.” (Common English Bible)

Paul reminds us that all human efforts, outside the atoning work of Jesus Christ would fail. Is there a human holy enough to bring Jesus from heaven to earth? Is there a human holy enough to enter the grave and restore life to Jesus. Of course not! No human in their right mind would think they could do either of those things. Nor should we have an attitude that obeying rules will some how grant us the righteousness of God.

The truth is the Father sent Jesus to be born on this earth, so he could live a sinless life, so he could die on a cross as my payment, so he could be placed in a grave that he would walk out of, so I could have the gift of salvation that I do not deserve and could not afford.

When our life is surrendered to faith-based righteousness we articulate these things well and often.

Verse 8-9 — Faith-based righteousness proclaims allegiance and trust through my speech (mouth), mind, desires, motives, and decision-making (heart).

The word is near you. Which word? The verse answers the question. The word of faith. The gospel. Your testimony. The fact that who you once were is not who you currently are. The word is on your lips. The word flows from your heart. The word is just part of who you are and you can’t stop it.

Verse 9 says if we confess with our mouth. I want to give you two definitions for confess. First, to confess is to acknowledge one’s allegiance. Second, to confess is to agree with God on a matter - any matter. One of the difficulties about confession is this ~ sometimes we don’t want to agree with God and we want God to change his mind based on our feelings. Verse 9 also says if you believe in your heart. Believe is trusting that God will be as he always has been and will do everything that he says he will do. Believe is not figuring out everything before it happens, because that doesn’t require any faith. Faith and trust come as a package. A person cannot be secure in their salvation without them.

Verse 10 — Faith-based righteousness continually works to produce fruit in my life.

At the moment of salvation, we are justified. We are gifted a right-standing before the Lord. We have been saved. Sanctification is the continual work of salvation active in our life. We are continually being conformed into greater Christ-likeness. So that, we will glorify Jesus Christ and produce fruit. This work continues as long as we live.

Verses 12-13 - Faith-based righteousness is exclusive but does not discriminate.

Every one who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Paul made clear there are Israelites that were not saved. There are Americans who have died without knowing Christ and that will continue to be true all nations across the globe. Faith-based righteousness provides an equal opportunity for all people. Call upon the name of the Lord and you will saved. John 3:18 says “Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.”

Romans 10:14–21 ESV

How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”

How does righteousness blossom in my life?

Verse 14 — The blossoming fruit of righteousness requires my soul to be saturated with biblical knowledge.

Verse 15 — The blossoming fruit of righteousness requires me to accept my role as a messenger. We operate under the authority of the one who gave the message.

Verses 16-18 — The blossoming fruit of righteousness requires me to hear the truth and surrender to the truth. Israel heard the truth, but did not know the truth.

Verse 21 — The blossoming fruit of righteousness is cultivating through the persevering character of God’s grace and mercy.

Present the path to salvation concisely and clearly!!! Today can be your day to know Jesus personally.