Saved

Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved (10:1). "I'm not bitter against the Jews," Paul is saying. "My heart's desire and prayer for these people is for their salvation."

"For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge (10:2). Even today the orthodox Jews have an extreme zeal toward God. When some young Israelis near Rosh Pina recently accepted Jesus Christ as their Messiah, several orthodox Jews broke into their home, beat them up, and damaged their house. Such zeal for God certainly isn't according to knowledge.

For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God (10:3). God has established a righteousness for all men through faith in Jesus Christ. Without Him, men seek righteousness by their own rules and standards. "I think that this is the right thing to do in this situation. I believe that that is the wrong thing to do." However, the guidelines of men don't meet God's requirements.

All men have standards they live by, even those men who teach situational ethics. Let's say that a professor stands before a class. He claims that there are no absolutes - all standards depend upon the mores of society, truth must be experienced by the individual, and right and wrong must be personally interpreted. Should a student get up in the middle of the lecture, walk to the front, sit at the professor's desk, and start rummaging through his papers, the professor would shout, "Stop that! You're out of order!"

"Do you mean that I'm doing something wrong?" the student could ask. "Who says it's wrong? There's no absolute basis of right and wrong. Every man has to experience truth for himself." In reality, all men have certain basic concepts that define actions as right or wrong, even though some deny this fact. Men live by the standards they have set, but their standards, no matter how high, are unacceptable to God.

The Bible says that our righteous acts are as filthy rags in the sight of God (Isaiah 64:6). I can parade my good deeds before God. "Look at me! How do you like this new suit?" Filthy rags! Paul said that he wanted to "be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith" (Philippians 3:9).

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth (10:4). Laws or rules cannot make me righteous. Only one thing can do so: my faith in Jesus Christ. God imparts His righteousness to me by my faith. If anyone thinks he can improve on that, good luck!

For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them (10:5). The righteousness of the Law was based on what man must do. The righteousness of faith is based on what Jesus Christ has done. The finished work of Christ forms the basis of my righteous standing before God. His work is completed, whereas my righteousness by the Law is continually in progress.

You may obey the Law for 85 years and then make one mistake. What a shame! The Bible says, "Cursed be he that confirmeth [upholds] not all the words of this law to do them" (Deuteronomy 27:26a). "For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all" (James 2:10). If you're seeking righteousness by the Law, you're in a dangerous place. If you're seeking righteousness by Jesus Christ, you're in the only safe place. God has finished the work for you.

But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (10:6-9).

How close are you to true righteousness? "Oh, it's so difficult! I must practically ascend into heaven, perform glorious deeds, and bring Christ down from above. I must descend into the deep and raise Him again from the dead." No such rigid requirements have been given, for true righteousness is as near to you as your mouth. If thou shalt confess with thy mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (10:9-10). With the confession of your mouth God regards your past sinful deeds as nonexistent. When you're that close to salvation, it's folly to be lost. Confess with your mouth that Jesus Christ is the Lord, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you'll be saved.

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (10:13). We discussed the sovereignty of God in the last chapter. Now we come to the matter of human responsibility. Here the truth finds balance. If you confess Him and believe in Him, He'll save you, because He keeps His word. "But what if I'm not predestined?" You'll be saved anyhow. No one who has called upon the name of the Lord has been turned away. "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13b) is a prayer that has always been answered, for God delights to show mercy. So, you're responsible for calling upon the name of the Lord. And when you do, you'll be saved.

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him (10:11-12). God is no less eager to save a Gentile than to save a Jew. Sometimes we show a preference toward the Jews, because we're so anxious to have their spiritual eyes opened again. But God isn't placing any special emphasis upon them today. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (10:13). All men are equal in His eyes. However, God will deal again with Israel, as we'll see in the next chapter.

How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? How can people call upon Him unless they have believed in Him? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? (10:14-15a). Here Paul follows a chain of thought. Why would men call upon someone in whom they don't believe? How can they believe in Him unless they hear about Him? How can they hear about Him unless a preacher has been sent?

The whole missionary thrust of the Church is expressed in these verses. We send out missionaries for people to hear, believe, and be saved. As it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! (10:15b). All Christians share the good things of the Gospel of Christ with a hopeless world.

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (10:16-17). The term in verse 17 translated as "word" isn't logos, which often refers to Christ the living Word, but rhema, the spoken word of God.

But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world (10:18). Paul is quoting from the Psalms. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Day unto day uttereth speech, and night unto night showeth knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their voice is not heard" (Psalm 19:1-3). What does this passage mean? Nature testifies to man about the existence of God. "Have they not heard?" (10:18). Yes, they surely have heard!

But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, and by a foolish nation I will anger you. But Isaiah is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying [obstinate] people (10:19-21). Paul tosses back to the Jews their own Scriptures. Even Moses, their father and greatest leader, prophesied that God would stretch out His hand to the Gentiles (Deuteronomy 32:21). God did this to provoke the Jews to jealousy, as they see His grace and goodness bestowed upon Gentiles, the outcasts.

Rather than condemn the Jews for their legalistic attitude toward God, we should demonstrate His love in our midst, the power of the Spirit, and the joy of our Redeemer and Messiah. In our efforts to evangelize the Jews, we should show such a love and excitement about the Messiah that the Jews are provoked to jealousy. Let them stop and say, "He's our Messiah, you know!" And He is.