Not Ashamed-Part 36- Believe and Be Saved

Introduction- Romans 10:5-13

Tonight we will return to the subject of righteousness. Last week it was made clear that righteousness does not come by the law.

Tonight we will see the case clearly presented that righteousness is by faith.

Both these passages also clearly support the idea of human responsibility as each man when faced with the truth of the gospel must make a personal choice to either receive it by faith or to reject it in unbelief.

Unfortunately the majority of the nation Israel had rejected Jesus and were intent on going their own way.

Righteousness by the Law (Vs. 5)

In verse four we learned that Christ is the end of the law meaning that He is the fulfilment of the law having done what no ordinary man could do keeping the law in its entirety.

Leviticus 18:5 KJV 1900

Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the Lord.

The point being made in verse five is that the man who seeks life by the law must live it perfectly and entirely for to offend in even one point is to be counted guilty of all.

James 2:10 KJV 1900

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

A man who intends to find righteousness by the law must live every moment of every day according to the dictates of the law without failure or mistake.

It is clear that no man has the ability to keep the law and thus righteousenss and life cannot be had by the law.

This then brings us back to the fact that Christ is the fulfilment of the law for us and leads us to the next topic...

Righteousness by Faith (Vs. 6-13)

The next several verses are designed to show that righteousness by faith is the means that God has prescribed for our salvation.

Here is seen the…

Accessiblity of the Message (Vs. 6-8)

Deuteronomy 30:11–14 KJV 1900

For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.

The quotation from Paul is a reference to the words of Moses as he spoke of the accessibility of the commandments of the law.

Moses spoke of the fact that the words of God were not beyond their reach but that they were readily accessible to them.

The problem for the people was that though they knew the law they were unable to keep it perfectly.

Now Paul makes similar statements regarding Christ and the message of the gospel.

We do not need someone to ascend into heaven to bring Christ down for He has already come to earth of His own accord.

We do not need someone to descend into the deep to bring Christ up from the dead for He has already risen from the dead of His own power.

The truth is all that is necessary for our salvation Christ has done and the message of salvation is readily available to us and is not beyond our reach.

This is the key difference in Christianity and every other system of religion. Religion says you must do this in order to be saved, Christianity says that Christ has done it all and you need only to believe in Him.

The Acknowledgement of the Truth (Vs. 9-10)

The fact that the gospel message is accessible does not mean that all will be saved.

There must still be a personal response to the message and this is what is discussed in verses 9 and 10.

Verse 9 follows the pattern of verse 8 which speaks of the word being “in thy mouth, and in thy heart” and then the order is reversed to show the natural order in verse 10.

In both verses there are two responses mentioned, the one flowing naturally from the other.

There must be first belief in the heart that God raised Jesus from the dead for this is the central point of the Christian faith without which all else is vain.

Notice this is not a mere mental affirmation but a heartfelt belief in Christ.

This faith produces righteousness as the righteousness of Christ is then imputed to us.

The second response mentioned is the confession with the mouth that Jesus is Lord and this is the natural result of the heartfelt faith described here.

When one believes from the heart he will then confess Jesus as Lord from the lips. It would be impossible to separate the one response from the other.

Those who would refuse to confess Jesus as Lord simply reveal that they have not truly believed from the heart.

It is clear that an individual response to the truth of the gospel is necessary in order to be saved.

Availability of Salvation (Vs. 11-13)

The final verses in this passage speak to the availability of salvation.

Verse 11 is again a quote from the Old Testament which foretold the coming of Christ.

Isaiah 28:16 KJV 1900

Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, A tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: He that believeth shall not make haste.

The point being made here is that no one who will call upon Jesus as savior shall be rejected (put to shame).

This is true be that person a Jew or a Gentile. The riches of salvation in Christ Jesus are available to all regardless of nationality.

Verse 13 is again a quotation of an Old Testament prophecy concerning Christ from...

Joel 2:32 KJV 1900

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.

This again affirms that anyone who will turn to the Lord in faith calling upon Him will definitely find salvation in Him.

John 6:37 KJV 1900

All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

Conclusion

If you are here tonight as a believer you ought to be rejoicing in the fact that salvation is not on your merits but is the product of faith in Jesus Christ.

We must also recognize that we who have received Christ now have the responsibility to share the truth that Jesus saves with others.

We have the message that brings salvation and we must not keep it to ourselves but we must spread it far and wide so that others may come to know Christ.

The great news is that we cannot share the gospel with the wrong person for it is the message of salvation for all.

If you are here tonight and you have not believed in Christ from the heart and confessed Him as the Lord of your life then what are you waiting for?

The message is clear that Jesus saves by His incarnation, death, burial, and resurrection He has done all that is required now all that you must do is believe that it is true!

Won’t you trust Jesus today? If you will but call on Him you have the guarantee from God’s own Word that He will save you today!