February 23, 2022
Believing in Jesus is not about Works, Words, or Will but a Heart and Life Transformed
Romans 10
David Gaw
Central Truth
Saving faith is a result of an inner regeneration, which results in an outward proclamation of that new faith.
Key Verse | Romans 10:9-10
[I]f 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.
Romans 10
1 Brothers, 1 10:1 Or Brothers and sisters 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. 2 10:4 Or end of the law, that everyone who believes may be justified
The Message of Salvation to All
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.”
14 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? 3 10:14 Or him whom they have never heard And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 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!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
18 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.”
19 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.”
20 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.”
21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
Listen to the Podcast
Listen NowDive Deeper | Romans 10
We enter Romans 10 after an eight-chapter exposé on the unrighteousness of the human condition, the saving righteousness of Jesus, and our hope because of this righteousness—obtained by grace through faith in Him. Paul primarily focuses Romans 9 on answering the question: "What does the extension of God's righteousness to the Gentiles indicate about the future of Israel as God's people?"
After painting a picture of God as the Sovereign Potter in Romans 9, Paul begins with his prayer and desire as a former "Hebrew of Hebrews" for his kin to be saved (Philippians 3:5). However, Paul is quick to point out that pious Jews, like his old self, have zeal for God based their own righteousness, not Christ's.
But Christ is the focus of the Scriptures—the main character of Genesis to Revelation! Jesus says in John 5:39-40 that the Pharisees "search the Scriptures . . . [for] eternal life; . . . yet . . . refuse to come to [Him] that [they] may have life." The Pharisees (like us at times) read the Bible without relating to the living, active, incarnate Word of God (John 1).
Ultimately, if more scriptural knowledge or religious activity are not enough for righteousness, how can the Jews be saved?
By believing in Jesus' death as a payment for their sins. Period.
Similarly, when we believe in our hearts the amazing grace shown on the cross and, as a result, confess it with our mouths, we are saved and sealed forever (Romans 10:9-10)! Furthermore, this gift of salvation is open to everyone, Jew and non-Jew, who believe (Romans 1:16).
How then are people to receive this free gift of grace? Through us, the ministers of reconciliation, who proclaim the goodness of Him who called us out of darkness and brought us into His marvelous light. How beautiful are those who preach this good news!
Christians, we have a call. Let us spread this good news today!
Discussion Questions
1. Larry Osborne in Accidental Pharisees states that believers in many ways are spiritual descendants of the Pharisees. We often, unintentionally, can fall into believing that righteousness comes from our "good deeds." What pharisaical nature do you have in your heart, and how can we confess and repent?
2. What is your gut reaction to the phrase "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved"? Is there a twinge of bitterness, frustration, or anger? If so, why?
3. Paul's rhetorical questions in Romans 10:14 are convicting for me: "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?"
Is there anyone the Spirit is prompting you to share the gospel with but you have shied away from doing so? What steps can you take today to yield to the Sprit's call?