Romans 10
May Memory Verse: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28 NIV
Read: Romans 10
As we jump into Romans 10, we can see Paul’s heartbreak at those Jews who have not trusted Christ as the Messiah. He then makes a statement that should chill anyone considering themselves spiritual; “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”
Zeal for God does not equal righteousness. Passion and emotional experiences will not save. On what are we banking our salvation?
There are no two verses more famous around Center Point than Romans 10:9–10, “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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” In these two verses, we get a clear indication of the response to the Gospel. When we consider salvation, not based on zeal, but based on righteousness received from Christ—this is how we receive it!
Confession isn’t a magical process, it’s an outpouring of a heart that cannot help but express itself. Like I said in a previous Jumpstart, Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” A full heart cannot contain itself—when a person experiences the grace, joy, love, and peace of salvation how can it contain itself?
Not only is confession an outpouring of the heart, but what we’re confessing is the lordship of Christ. New Testament faith is total surrender to Jesus’ lordship in our lives evidenced by calling out to Him for salvation. When we talk about Jesus as “Lord,” it cannot mean we scootch over and allow Him to sit beside us on the throne of our lives. If Jesus is Lord, I am not. I must surrender the throne of my life.
In the second part of Paul’s formula is a belief. Essentially, all a person needs to know to be saved is that they’re a sinner and Christ died and was resurrected for their sins. Not only did he die, but Paul reiterates that essential knowledge includes the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.
Paul brings this conversation back to the reason he’s writing in the first place, the tension between Jews and Gentiles. He wrote in verse 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. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” The squabbles between these two groups matter little because they are fellow recipients of the riches found in salvation.
Since “All who call on the Lord shall be saved,” Paul’s missionary passion shines through with one of the greatest exhortations for sharing the Gospel. Rhetorically Paul asked, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?” Answer: they can’t. “And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” Answer: they can’t. “And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Answer: they can’t. “And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” Answer: they can’t.
Paul sums it up, “Faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
We do not need wise words or fancy footwork to convince someone to call on Christ. We need to present His word and pray the Holy Spirit do what we understand the Holy Spirit to do—draw people to Christ. Anything less cannot save.
What motivates you to share the Gospel?
What is something that holds you back?
By: Tyler Short
Read: Romans 10
As we jump into Romans 10, we can see Paul’s heartbreak at those Jews who have not trusted Christ as the Messiah. He then makes a statement that should chill anyone considering themselves spiritual; “For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.”
Zeal for God does not equal righteousness. Passion and emotional experiences will not save. On what are we banking our salvation?
There are no two verses more famous around Center Point than Romans 10:9–10, “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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” In these two verses, we get a clear indication of the response to the Gospel. When we consider salvation, not based on zeal, but based on righteousness received from Christ—this is how we receive it!
Confession isn’t a magical process, it’s an outpouring of a heart that cannot help but express itself. Like I said in a previous Jumpstart, Jesus said in Luke 6:45, “Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” A full heart cannot contain itself—when a person experiences the grace, joy, love, and peace of salvation how can it contain itself?
Not only is confession an outpouring of the heart, but what we’re confessing is the lordship of Christ. New Testament faith is total surrender to Jesus’ lordship in our lives evidenced by calling out to Him for salvation. When we talk about Jesus as “Lord,” it cannot mean we scootch over and allow Him to sit beside us on the throne of our lives. If Jesus is Lord, I am not. I must surrender the throne of my life.
In the second part of Paul’s formula is a belief. Essentially, all a person needs to know to be saved is that they’re a sinner and Christ died and was resurrected for their sins. Not only did he die, but Paul reiterates that essential knowledge includes the fact that Jesus rose from the dead.
Paul brings this conversation back to the reason he’s writing in the first place, the tension between Jews and Gentiles. He wrote in verse 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. For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” The squabbles between these two groups matter little because they are fellow recipients of the riches found in salvation.
Since “All who call on the Lord shall be saved,” Paul’s missionary passion shines through with one of the greatest exhortations for sharing the Gospel. Rhetorically Paul asked, “How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed?” Answer: they can’t. “And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” Answer: they can’t. “And how are they to hear without someone preaching?” Answer: they can’t. “And how are they to preach unless they are sent?” Answer: they can’t.
Paul sums it up, “Faith comes through hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.”
We do not need wise words or fancy footwork to convince someone to call on Christ. We need to present His word and pray the Holy Spirit do what we understand the Holy Spirit to do—draw people to Christ. Anything less cannot save.
What motivates you to share the Gospel?
What is something that holds you back?
By: Tyler Short
4 Comments
Great word today Tyler! Might it be summarized as "Witnessing is not so much a Christian's responsibility as it is our response to His ability "?
Nice Rex, it's certainly not our responsibility in terms of OUR ability. I think the Lord commands us to share for several reasons, but certainly a big one is that we might share in seeing Him work in the lives of people. There is hardly anything as encouraging to our faith as seeing the transformation of the Gospel in a person's life.
What motivates you to share the Gospel?
Last Fall I began my sixth decade of life. (which I still cannot believe). I've observed men and women trying to fill the empty spot in their hearts with money, power, fame, sex, drugs, and everything the world has to offer only to come up empty. I know beyond the shadow of any doubt that JESUS is the ONLY thing that fills the void and brings real joy to life. The evidence for this is overwhelming. I am motivated to see people find real contentment & joy through Christ alone.
What is something that holds you back?
Fear of repercussions in our "woke corporate culture" that everyone has their own truth and that we must remain sensitive to their feelings. I pray God helps me overcome this and for doors to be opened for gospel conversations. I must obey the King of Kings rather than the dictates of any man or corporation.
Thanks for the commentary Tyler!
Thanks for sharing Mike. Sharing is a challenge for the reasons you mentioned, but it's worth it in light of what you said above---Jesus is the ONLY answer for people.