The Way To Salvation By Faith Series

The Way to Salvation by Faith

Romans 10:1-17

The apostle Paul in chapter 9 and 10 sets out to reveal God's plans for Israel's past, present and future. I realize that many today are predicting the destruction of the nation of Israel. Recently, one of the Palestinian leaders said that, “Before too long, Israel would be swiped from the face of the earth.” In biblical record, Apostle Paul predicts that Israel will stand until the return of the Lord. Romans 9:27 “Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved:” Isaiah’s prophesy as quoted by Paul in Romans 9, assures us that a remnant will be saved. In Romans chapter 10, Paul sets forth the doctrine of Salvation in a clear and simply way. Paul’s purpose seems to be to make the way of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus perfectly clear to the new believers at Rome. During the early days of the Christian church, the message of salvation had become confusing and complicated by some of the Jewish teachers. Knowing that some Jewish teachers were torn between keeping the Law of Moses and embracing salvation by faith in Christ alone, Paul’s desire was to clear up their misgivings and illuminate the truth of God’s plan of salvation.

A story is told of a baseball manager who was in charge of a great baseball team that he felt sure was headed for the World Series. The Manager was excited about his team’s progress but desired to see more improvement in one of his rookie players. During one game, he decided to start the rookie outfielder in the Left Field position. The veteran outfielder who normally played the position was furious. When the rookie mishandled a fly ball, the veteran banged his glove on the bench in disgust. When it appeared the rookie was back too far, the veteran would throw both hand in the air, and say, “Can you believe this kid?” By the third inning, the rookie was charged with an error. Later in the game, after fielding a ground ball fairly well, he overthrow home plate. By this time, the veteran outfielder was pacing back and forth in anger and disgust. He could not believe the manager was leaving that bumbling inexperienced rookie in the game. In the sixth inning, the manager tapped the veteran left fielder on the shoulder and said, “Go in and replace the kid, that’s enough for today.” The veteran growl snarled, “Well, it’s about time,” storming out onto the field. When the rookie came in, the manager patted him on the backside as he passed, “Way to go, kid.”

It wasn’t too long before the veteran player mishandled a fly ball; later in the same inning he was charged with an error. After a popup to center field, the inning was over and the veteran headed for the dugout. A hush that could almost be felt filled the dugout, as the veteran outfielder entered. No one, not even the manager said a single word, everyone had paused to hear what comment if any the veteran player would make. After kicking up some dust, throwing his glove on the ground, he barked at the manager, “That dawn rookie has got “left field” so mess up, nobody can play it.”

Some preachers had complicated, confused, and even distorted the message of salvation to the point that many people wonder, “Does anyone know; Is anyone sure what to believe?” There are so many denominations, “Can they all be right?” What about the talk show host, “Are they right, after all, they are rich, powerful, and influential people?” The confusion of our day is nothing new. If salvation was and is a God thing, God and His word are probably the best sources for the truth about salvation. God inspired the apostle to pen a letter to the newly formed church at Rome to clear up this very matter. I believe an understanding of Romans 10 will help clear up some of the confusion about salvation. Romans 10, addresses the subject of salvation by faith in Christ Jesus.

The Apostle Paul sets out to answer several questions. What plan has God provided for mankind’s Salvation? What are the requirements for salvation? Is there any salvation in keeping the Law? What are the benefits of the Law if it cannot save? And what are the benefits of being a Jew if all men need salvation? Paul begins his discourse by expressing his earnest desire for the salvation of the Jews, his own nation. He loved the Law of God, his heritage and his countrymen. He wanted them to embrace God’s plan of salvation. Subsequently he explains the difference between the righteousness of the law, and the righteousness provided by faith in Christ. Paul recognized that the Law was good and that a person could be declared righteous if they perfectly kept the law. The requirement of the Law was perfection. The problem was that no one except Jesus Christ had been able to fulfill the demands of the law. Men knew what to do, but they were powerless to execute what they knew to do. Knowledge without performance equals condemnation. Consequently all mankind stood condemned before the Law. Jesus the Christ perfectly obeyed the law of God and fulfilled all its righteous demands. God’s plan of salvation by faith is now offered to all mankind on the bases of what was accomplished by Christ alone. The righteousness of God is a free gift to all who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and accept God's free gift of grace. Finally, Paul declares that the Gentiles stand on level ground with the Jews so far as justification and salvation are concerned. Both Jews and Gentiles were guilty before God, but Salvation for both are offered freely by faith in Christ.