Daily Bread 2011 - Romans 10

9 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. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.”12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

What Does This Mean?
In chapters 9-11, Paul begins to explain the fate of his fellow Jewish brothers and sisters who he longs for their salvation. Being a Jew himself, he understands their adherence to the Law, as given by Moses. He understands the striving for a righteousness that comes by the Law. But what he has experienced is a righteousness that comes by faith. Paul reminds his fellow Jews that even though they were given righteousness through the Law, they could never live up to its demands, and in an effort to do that they started to establish their own laws.

But then Paul reveals that Christ is the end of the Law, and also has opened the door for all of us (Jews and Gentiles) to receive a righteousness that is by faith. Then he comes to famous verse that explains how we access this faith, through the Word. As the Word of faith is proclaimed we confess that Jesus is Lord with our mouths and believe in our hearts that Jesus is Lord and are saved. This is God’s saving work as empowered by the Holy Spirit, as we hear the Word and respond!

What Does This Mean For Us?

As Paul talks about this new kind of righteousness that comes through faith and not the Law, he teaches about how we receive faith. Faith comes by believing in Jesus and confessing that He is Lord. Then he goes on to say how can someone have faith in the Good News, or message that Jesus is Risen and Lord, unless they hear it? And they can’t hear it unless someone preaches it. Blessed are the feet of those who bring Good News.

Here we see the centrality of preaching the Gospel. Preaching the Gospel is what the Church is called to do every time it gathers on Sunday morning. Although there are likely to be believers and unbelievers at church every Sunday, we all need to hear Good News that we are saved because of what Jesus has done on the cross and through His resurrection from the dead. As we hear that message, the Holy Spirit creates faith in us to trust in it for our salvation! Have you heard the Gospel clearly lately? Or, are trying to earn God’s approval through your desire or effort? Remember God richly blesses all who call on Him!

Gracious Lord, we thank you for making known to us the riches of your grace. We confess that you are Lord and that you have saved us by your mercy and there is nothing we have done to earn it. Send us to be messengers of Your Good News so that by hearing it more people will come to know you as Lord! Amen.

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