Day 24: Romans 10:1-13: Salvation Is Near

Salvation comes through faith in Jesus, not religious achievement.

Paul deeply desires for people to know Jesus. He explains that many had passion for God- but not true understanding. They tried to establish their own righteousness instead of receiving the righteousness that comes through faith. 

Then Paul gives the good news clearly:

"If you confess Jesus as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Salvation is not reserved for one group, background, or status. Jesus is Lord of all. 

Reflection ?: Are you resting in what Jesus has done or trying to earn what He already offers?

Dig Deeper: What does it mean to truly confess Jesus as Lord?

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Hello there. Today we are in day 24, and we're talking about the topic salvation is near. Our passage is Romans chapter 10, verses 1 through 13. And some questions for us to ponder on before we read the text are Are you resting in what Jesus has done or trying to earn what he already offers? What does it mean to truly confess Jesus as Lord? Let's read the text together. Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God concerning them is for their salvation. I can testify about them that they have zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Since they are ignorant of the righteousness of God and attempted to establish their own righteousness, they have not submitted to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Since Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law, the one who does these things will live by them. But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this do not say in your heart who will go up to heaven, that is, to bring Christ down, or who will go down into the abyss, that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim. 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. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on him. For every one who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. That is the word of God. Romans 10 is one of the clearest explanations of salvation in the Bible. Paul says some people had zeal for God, but not according to knowledge, meaning they were sincere, but sincerity alone doesn't save. In Paul's time, many believed righteousness came through strict law-keeping. And today people still try to reach God through that kind of effort. Maybe some it is by following the Ten Commandments law or what their religion requires. Others it's through morality, success, religion, or comparison, trying to live a life that reaches God. Paul says the problem is this: people try to establish their own righteousness. In other words, they try to make themselves acceptable to God, but the gospel flips that completely. Righteousness is received through faith in Christ. Then Paul says, one of the most beautiful verses, if you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Now, here's my favorite part of today's devotion, and it's focusing on the word Lord. The word Lord mattered deeply in Rome. They called Caesar Lord. So at that time, saying Jesus is Lord, it wasn't just spiritual language like we know it today. It was allegiance. It meant Jesus, not Caesar, has ultimate authority. Today, confession still means surrender. Not perfection, but trust and allegiance. Paul ends by saying something beautiful. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Everyone. Not just the religious, not just the morally strong, anyone who comes to Christ in faith. That's the end of today's devotion. And I just want to leave on a note if you have been studying the word but questioning where you stand with Christ, if you haven't yet professed that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior and you have questions about that or you're ready to reach out to me. I'm put my email in the bio. I'm happy to talk to you about that or set you up with someone who would be a better person to talk to. But if you are feeling called and you feel that tug on your heart, and we just read today what it means. If you profess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, if you believe in your heart that he was raised from the dead, you will be saved. If you just want some prayer, I'm here. Email me. Love you guys. See you tomorrow.