ROMANS 10
Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 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); 9 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. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 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. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”– Romans 10:1-13
ROMANS 10 DIFFERENCE BETWEEN GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS AND MAN’S
In this letter, Paul addresses the Jewish zeal for following the law. In verse 2, he calls out their enthusiasm which is not based on knowledge. In verse 3, he points out their ignorance to God’s righteousness and their pursuit of following the law to seek their own righteousness. How easy it is for the Jews and also for all believers in our current day to deceive ourselves with rule-keeping and performance-based religion. That is what Paul is addressing in this letter. He exposes the difference between God’s righteousness and our attempts to be righteous. Our righteousness is never right if it is based on our own understanding and efforts.
In verse 9 Paul gives us the formula for true faith. He directs us to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. In verse 10, he points out the result of confessing with the mouth and having faith from the heart: we are saved and justified in Christ.
REFLECTION
- Share how big the difference is between God’s righteousness and humans?
