By Pastor Rich Paradis
Romans 9:30 – 10:21
Having
differentiated between “National Israel” and “Spiritual Israel”, Paul took most
of the rest of chapter 9 discussing “how” God chooses. The passage, although
difficult to understand when thinking from a purely human mindset, revealed
that God’s elective choices are made from His character (mercy), not our
actions or motives. Now Paul will return to his discussion at hand; the current
condition of “national Israel”. Paul will again use his characteristic logic,
but will also include many passages from the Old Testament to make his
argument.
I.
The
Word of Faith and National Israel Romans 9:30 – 10:4
a.
As
this section opens, there is a question again before us. Verse 30 echoes the same question from 4:1, 6:1, 8:31, and 9:14.
“What shall we say then?” reminds us of the fact that what will follow in the
way of an answer will continue a thought found previously. In 9:25-29, we are
told that there will be some that are of non-Jewish lineage that will be a part
of God’s people. We are also told that all that are of Jewish lineage will not
be of God’s people.
b.
The
continuation of Verse 30 and 31 tell
us that in fact there will be Gentiles that did not pursue the following the
Mosaic Law, that will by faith attain righteous standing before God. On the
other hand, there will be those of National Israel that will not attain this
righteous standing before God.
c.
Why?
That is the question posed in Verse 32.
It is followed directly with the answer. The reason that National Israel as a
nation did not attain righteousness before God is that they did not pursue it
by faith. Instead, they pursued it through their works. They stumbled on the
truth that salvation comes by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. It
would not and could not be based on their works (or ours as we look to apply
this passage to our own lives).
d.
Isaiah
28:16 is quoted in Verse 33. This
verse tells us not only of a “stone” that would be provided, that is Jesus
Christ, who will not only bring salvation but will also cause offense to those
that depend on their good works of obedience for salvation. It goes on to say
that those that put their trust in Him will not be “disappointed” that is put
to shame or disturbed.
e.
Chapter
10 opens with a statement that reminds us of the one that Paul opened up
chapter 9 with. Paul loves his lineage and the people of his lineage. He tells
us in Verse 1 that his heart’s
desire and his prayers are for their salvation. Do you pray for those that you
care for that are unsaved? Paul seems to be sharing in these two chapter
openings that this is an important part of the believer’s requests before God.
f.
Paul
seems to be looking back at his own life as he tells his readers in Verse 2 that the unsaved of Israel have
zeal, even zeal for God, but that zeal is also ignorant of God’s plan for
salvation.
g.
Since
they did not know of God’s righteousness and His way of salvation, they tried
to do it on their own. Verse 3 tells
us that as they tried to “obey” their way to salvation, they did not subject
themselves to the plan of God or His righteousness.
h.
As
this section of the discussion closes, the reader is reminded of the fact that
Jesus Christ is the “end of the law for righteousness to everyone that
believes. This word “end” can be translated as either “termination and
cessation” or as “goal”. It seems best to see this usage in Verse 4 as “goal”. Paul is not saying
that the Law is gone. He is saying that Christ is the solution to our search
for righteousness before God. Believers not only know this, they count on it!
II.
The
Word of Faith Explained Romans 10:5-13
a.
Paul
reminds his readers in Verse 5 that
the person who decides that he or she who desires righteousness before God
based on their own obedience and work will be most unfortunate at the judgment
in that they will themselves be judged based on their own failed system.
b.
In
contrast to that failed system, Verses
6-7 say that there is an option to our failed approaches to gaining
righteousness before God. The verses that are quoted loosely are Deuteronomy
30:12-14. In other words, it will not require super-human efforts to achieve
righteousness before God.
c.
In
contrast, Verses 8 explains that the
“word is near you”. In other words, the gospel message is right in front of
you. Again, Deuteronomy 30:14 is before us and was speaking of God’s word as
found in the Law. But here it is quoted in relation to the gospel, available to
anyone who will receive it freely through Jesus Christ. That word is preached
regularly here in our church and in our neighborhoods as those who know and
have embraced this truth take it out to others.
d.
What
truth? What is it that we should be proclaiming in our churches and in our
neighborhoods and around the world? Verses
9-10 tell us. They say that if (because) we confess with our mouth Jesus as
Lord and as you believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you
(and anyone else) will be saved. Wow! This, along with Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:8,
and 10:13 make up what many refer to as the “Romans Road” to salvation. But these
verses are very clear as to the “how” of salvation. It is not obedience to the
Law or our works that save us. It is our response to this gospel (Good News)
truth. The “believing” and “confessing” are not two separate chronological
events. They are together as we acknowledge to God that Christ is Savior and
believe in Him.
e.
Again,
as we look at Verse 11, we see the
same truth that is shared in 9:33. That truth is that this gospel works! The
gospel (which is not gospel at all, according to Galatians 1:6) of works will
disappoint and disturb, while the true and only gospel will not.
f.
As
Verses 12-13 unfold, we see that in
regard to salvation, there is no distinction between those of National Israel
that depend on Christ’s finished work at the cross for their salvation and any
other person (Gentile) that does the same thing. Paul is not saying that National
Israel cannot be saved. He is saying that they will not be saved by their own
obedience or works. Joel 2:32 is quoted in verse 13, which was also quoted in
Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost.
III.
The
Word of Faith Must Be Shared Romans 10:14-21
a.
So
now what? A series of questions is shared by Paul in Verses 14-15. If, in fact, this “word of faith” that is the gospel
is that which saves you and nothing else, than what should be our response to
it? SHARE IT! Where shall we share it? In our pulpits, in our homes, in our
work places, in our neighborhoods, and in other countries around the world. It
should be shared everywhere. No one will be saved by merely hearing our stories
of obedience only. They must hear the “word of faith”. It is the only word that
will save. Isaiah 52:7 is quoted as to the beauty of sharing this gospel Good
News.
b.
But
Verses 16-21 remind us that not
everyone who hears will respond in faith. And the case in point is National
Israel. People have been told, the word of faith has been shared, but not all
respond. Isaiah 53:1, Psalm 19:4, Deuteronomy 32:21, Isaiah 65:1, and Isaiah
65:2 are all shared to make the case
that National Israel has no one to blame for its current position but itself. They
are a hard-headed and hard-hearted people. But so are many around us. We must
keep sharing the “word of faith”, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
IV.
An
Application For All Of Us
a.
It
is interesting to note that the Law and the Prophets (Deuteronomy and Isaiah)
are used to make the case even tougher against National Israel. They are
indicted (as are many in our community) as they continue to not respond to the
“word of faith”, the gospel of Jesus Christ!
