The Word of Faith Brings Salvation

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!