The Gosple of Our Salvation.

illustration:

A little boy came running into the house after playing outside. His mother stopped him and asked what was on his right hand. He replied, “Oh, just a little mud.” His mother then asked if he was planning on getting it off his hand. He thought for a moment and said, “Sure, Mom. I’ll just wipe it off with my other hand.” There was only one problem with the plan, one dirty hand plus one clean hand equals two dirty hands.

Many people are like that little boy, they see the evil and wrongs in their life and think they can make themselves clean by bringing the good in their life to bear on the problem. But it doesn’t work that way. We all need a way to be made morally and spiritually clean, and we will never succeed in doing it ourselves. The only solution is to be found in the blood of Jesus Christ, which cleanses us from all of our sins.

Introduction:

We have already established the fact that Romans 9–11 were written to a Jewish audience. It is evident that Paul carried a heavy burden for the salvation of Israel. Although this passage was written with the Jews in mind, these principles are relevant and consistent regarding salvation regardless of the audience. In fact, the commonly used “Romans Road” approach to presenting the Gospel uses verses from this chapter.

We are aware of the struggle many of the Jews had 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. After dealing with this obstructive issue with a Gentile audience, Paul now addresses the same issue as he speaks to a Jewish audience.

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: faith alone in Christ alone. I want to consider the principles Paul shares as we think on: God’s Way of Salvation.

I. The Demands of the Law

II. The Deception of the Deceived

III. The Deliverance of the Condemned

I. The Demands of the Law (5)—For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Consider:

A. The Righteousness (5a)—For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law. Paul speaks of the righteousness Moses described through revealing the law. The law was given to the people of Israel through Moses. The law served three primary purposes. First, it revealed the holy and righteous nature of God. Second, it revealed the utter depravity of mankind. Naturally, when our righteousness within the flesh is compared to the complete righteousness of God, we immediately see our utter depravity. Third, the law was never intended to save, but to point those in need of salvation to the coming Christ. God revealed the standard of righteousness He requires and man’s inability to obtain that in himself, but he also revealed the remedy for sin: Jesus Christ His Son, coming as the sacrificial atonement for sin.

▪ We do not advocate keeping the law as a means of righteousness as many of the Jews did, but the righteousness it reveals remains even today. When one takes the time to study the Old Testament, and the law in particular, you immediately begin to recognize the holiness of God and what He expects in order to fellowship with Him.

B. The Requirement (5b)—For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. Here Paul presents a sobering fact to all who will listen to reason. God’s righteousness has been revealed through the law, and if anyone expects to find favor in God through the law, he must live in accordance with the law. Paul does not argue that living according to the law of God would merit righteousness in the eyes of God, but he knows none have the ability to do such a thing. If one expects to be received of God through adhering to the law, he must possess the ability to keep the entire law.

▪ This is where the problem lies. Isaiah declares our righteousness is as filthy rags. Paul declares there are none righteous, not even one. James reveals that if we fail to keep one of the commandments, then before God, we are guilty of all. This reveals one would have to live a perfect life, just like the life Jesus lived on earth, to be accepted of God through an attempt of keeping the law. Common sense and simple knowledge of our own sinful tendencies reveals this is utterly impossible. We cannot live righteous enough, in and of ourselves, to merit salvation!

II. The Deception of the Deceived (6–7)—Although many of the Jews failed to see or admit their inability to merit God’s favor, they remained deceived regarding the matter and felt as if it were possible to obtain. Paul sought to address this deception. Consider:

A. The Approach (6a)—But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise … Paul speaks of the approach taken to obtain the righteousness God expects. Many of the Jews continued to seek righteousness through adherence to the law, but Paul again confirms this approach is faulty. He has just declared such an approach would require of a life of sinless perfection. He wanted the Jews, and all people for that matter, to understand that righteousness before God can only be obtained through faith. Seeking to approach God and gain acceptance of Him through works of the law had not worked in the past and they never would.

▪ Although the approach may be somewhat different today, the principle remains the same. Many today are not genuinely concerned with adherence to the law, but they continue to seek salvation based upon works of the flesh. Many are depending on their own morality, church membership, baptism, an office within the church, or a host of other avenues. Each of these will never secure the righteousness God demands; it is only obtained through faith! Ephes. 2:8–9—For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.

B. The Admonition (6b–7)—Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) [7] Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) Paul has quoted Moses from Deuteronomy 30:11–14. Moses revealed there was no need to go to heaven to obtain the law from God or to sail the seas in an attempt to discover the law. Here Paul makes a striking parallel to the teaching of Moses. There was no need to go to heaven to bring Christ down from above in an attempt to secure salvation. God had already provided that in the life of Jesus Christ. The Jews may have been waiting for Messiah to come, but their wait was futile because He had already come. There was no need for anyone to ascend into the deep in order to bring Christ back from the dead; He had already risen triumphantly in resurrection life. In essence, Paul is declaring there is nothing left for men to do, no works one could perform to obtain righteousness. Christ had already provided the means of righteousness through His sinless life, His vicarious suffering, substitutionary atonement, and glorious resurrection. Faith in the finished work of Christ is enough and it is essential.

▪ What comfort we find in these verses for all people, Jew and Gentile alike. There is no need to work in an effort to earn one’s salvation. (That isn’t a license to sin or live as we please, but an admonition to trust Christ alone for salvation.) God hasn’t provided a means of salvation that is obscured or hidden. We don’t have to search the ends of the earth, heaven itself, or the depths of Hell to discover the way of salvation. Jesus provided all that God required as He bled and died as the perfect sacrifice, rising in victory over sin and death. All we have to do is look to Him by faith and be saved!

III. The Deliverance of the Condemned (8–10)—After making an irrefutable case against works obtaining righteousness, Paul reveals the means of deliverance from condemnation. Notice:

A. The Provision (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. God had been faithful in giving the law which revealed His righteousness through Moses and He remained faithful in revealing the means of salvation through Paul and others who shared the Gospel. There was no need to search any further. God had provided the means of salvation through the sacrifice of Christ, and salvation had been made nigh to all who would respond to the call for salvation by faith. They had heard the truth of the Gospel—it was within their mouths, and all they needed to do was receive in their hearts! Paul had just shared the incarnation of Christ as the Savior of the world and His resurrection in triumph over sin and death. God had made provision for all who will only believe by faith.

B. The Confession (9a)—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. Paul reveals salvation by faith in Christ alone is available for all who will confess the Lord Jesus. Now, many 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. 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.

C. The Conversion (9b)—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. This should have brought comfort to those who read or heard these words. 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 would never want to be guilty of minimizing the Gospel, but often we add to what the Lord has proclaimed through His Word. Much emphasis today is placed on certain feelings or emotions, the reciting of a particular prayer, or other expectations of men. God says we must agree with Him in regard to Christ and believe within our hearts in order to be saved. That is 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!

D. The Confirmation (10)—For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. We conclude today with this summary statement from Paul that stands as the confirmation of salvation. One must believe from the heart, by faith, unto righteousness. This is believing that Christ secured the means of salvation by His righteousness being offered on the cross and imputed to our account. We accept His finished work as the sole means of salvation. We confess, or agree with God, that Christ secured all that was necessary for our salvation and we then receive the glorious gift of salvation.

▪ I have never sought to create doubt in the hearts of others. I know the agony of struggling with assurance in salvation. I fear we often rely more on an emotional or physical experience than spiritual assurance. I am convinced that Christ wants us to be settled in our salvation and victorious through Him. If you have in the past, or continue to struggle with salvation, I urge you to take the Lord at His word. Have you fulfilled these requirements? Have you agreed with God concerning Christ and believed by faith for salvation? Are you trusting in the finished work of Christ alone as the means of your salvation? If so, you have done all that God requires. He has promised salvation for those who meet these requirements! I believe much of our fear and doubt results from the human tendency to earn salvation. It isn’t about our works or a particular experience. It is faith alone in Christ alone!

Conclusion: Paul laid out God’s plan of salvation in these verses. If you have trusted Christ by faith for salvation, be thankful and rejoice. If you haven’t, I urge you to do so without delay!