The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my mind and heart in Romans 10:8-10,
"What does it [the righteousness that is by faith] say? 'The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,' that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."
Paul contrasts two messages in this passage. The first concerns a righteousness, a "right-standing" with God that some pursue by living exemplary lives in keeping God's law. These are the ones who demonstrate their worthiness to God, that they merit salvation, life eternal with him in the resurrection.The other message, the one that Paul championed is a righteousness or "right-standing" with God that comes from simply putting our faith and trust in him.
The problem with the first approach to righteousness is that the man who attempts to establish his credentials with God must live by the law. Therein lays the problem. For all who are honest enough, it must be admitted this is impossible.
One of the points Jesus made in his sermon on the mount was that the law constrains in a way that is impossible to conform to, given our sinful natures. He says, "You have heard that it was said, 'Do not commit adultery.' But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:27-28. He also said, "You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.' But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment." Matthew 5:21-22. Who will ever be able to stand before God as sinless based on the law? This is Paul's point. To emphasize it even further Jesus said the law was not going anywhere. It is what it is - rigid and unchanging. No bending of the rules here. "I tell you the truth, until heaven and earth disappear, not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen, will by any means disappear from the Law until everything is accomplished." Matthew 5:18.
To make matters worse for those who would attempt to earn their way into heaven by keeping the law Jesus said, "Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven." Matthew 5:19-20. I suspect the world has never seen more impeccable law-keepers than Pharisees. A good read on the history and background on these Jews will be evidence enough, and yet Jesus said that the pursuit of righteousness through law-keeping would have to surpass that of the Pharisees or a person would never make it into heaven. An impossible task! We all will arrive at eternity's door with a list of indictments- we have all broken the laws of God.
The second message is "the word of faith". Of this message Paul says, "That if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved." Here is good news! Earlier in this letter Paul spoke of what Abraham's life has to say about this, "He [Abraham] did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.' The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead." Romans 4:20-24.
There are a lot of religions, a lot of denominations, a lot of churches, theologies and doctrines that teach there must be other things in addition to faith for one to have a right-standing before God, to have a future for all eternity with God in the resurrection. As for Paul, it is by faith alone that brings us a right-standing with God. The kind of faith that Abraham had. Salvation has always been by faith, from Genesis to Revelation.
I don't know about you, but this is great news! There is no way I could possibly make it on my own ability to conform my life. I just can't do it. But I can place my faith and trust in Jesus Christ!
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share your thoughts of worship with us from your Bible reading today. We'd love to hear from you!
Trevor Fisk
trevor.fisk@gmail.com
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