The Way of Salvation Romans II Series [6] Romans 10:1-13

THE WAY OF SALVATION: THREE QUESTIONS 1.Israel’s failure: What did they miss? (v.1) 2.How did Israel miss the way of salvation? (vs. 2-5) 3.What is the way of salvation? (vs. 6-13)

ISRAEL’S FAILURE: WHAT DID THEY MISS? They missed the way of salvation in Christ—instead, they stumbled over Christ who became a rock that cause them to fall (Romans 9:32). On the one hand, Israel’s unbelief is due to God’s sovereign choice (Romans 9); on the other hand, it is due to Israel’s failure in their responsibility (Romans 10) to receive Christ as the way of salvation. Apostle Paul’s earnest desire and prayer is that they—his kinsmen, Israelites—might be saved. Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. (v.1)

HOW DID ISRAEL MISS THE WAY OF SALVATION? They were ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God [the true way of salvation]. 2For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. (vs.2-3)

HOW DID ISRAEL MISS THE WAY OF SALVATION? They were ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God [the true way of salvation].  Their zeal for God was without knowledge.  They sought to establish their own righteousness.  They did not submit to God’s righteousness [= God’s way of salvation]. The first step to obtaining the righteousness of God Is to renounce our own righteousness. John Calvin

HOW DID ISRAEL MISS THE WAY OF SALVATION? They pursued the false way of salvation—the righteousness that is based on the law. 4For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. (vs.4-5)

HOW DID ISRAEL MISS THE WAY OF SALVATION? They pursued the false way of salvation—the righteousness that is based on the law.  Christ is the end of the law for righteousness—because everyone who believes is justified by God.  Yet, Israelites sought the righteousness based on the law—which says: “If you keep the law perfectly, you shall be saved.” (v.5)  No human being can keep the law perfectly.  Therefore, no Israelites [no human being] can be justified by keeping the law.

19Now we know that whatever the law says it speaks to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God. 20For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Romans 3:19-23

WHAT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION? 1)It is the righteousness based on faith. 6But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7or "'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim). Romans 10:6-8

WHAT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION? 1)It is the righteousness based on faith.  The word [about the righteousness by faith] is not far away from us—we don’t have to ascend into heaven nor descend into abyss to find the way of salvation.  The “word of faith” [i.e., the gospel of Christ] is already near us—because Christ already came to us [incarnation] and has already risen from the dead [resurrection].  The real issue is not “access” to the way of salvation but “submission” to God’s righteousness as the true way.

WHAT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION? 2)It requires alive faith that confesses that Jesus is Lord. 9because, 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. 10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." (vs.9-11)

WHAT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION? 2)It requires alive faith that confesses that Jesus is Lord.  Faith: "Believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead.”  Confession: "Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord.”  Connection between Faith & Confession: “With the heart one believes and is justified” = “With the mouth one confesses and is saved” (v.10) [i.e., True faith results in true confession—vice versa].

WHAT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION? 2)It requires alive faith that confess that Jesus is Lord.  The Early Church’s confession of faith: “Jesus is Lord!”

The Apostles’ Creed I BELIEVE in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting. Amen.

WHAT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION? 2)It requires alive faith that confesses that Jesus is Lord.  The Early Church’s confession of faith: “Jesus is Lord!” The danger of 21 st Century Church: “half gospel”—i.e., danger of preaching/confessing that “Jesus as Savior only” rather than “Jesus as LORD who saves us.” Restoring FULL CONFESSION means that we acknowledge and confess Jesus’ Lordship over our lives as well as the whole universe. The resurrection [“Lord”] always encompasses the cross [“Savior”], which means the whole gospel requires us to submit to and follow Jesus as our LORD who saves us!

WHAT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION? 3)It includes EVERYONE who calls the name of the Lord for salvation. 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. 13For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." (vs.12-13)

WHAT IS THE WAY OF SALVATION? 3)It includes EVERYONE who calls the name of the Lord for salvation.  There are no distinction between Jews and Gentiles— Jesus is the same Lord of all.  Jesus gives generously to all who call on him.  It is each person’s responsibility to come to Christ by faith because "WHOSOEVER shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved!” (v.13)

8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross! 9Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:8-11

PRACTICAL IMPLICATIONS FOR OUR EVERYDAY LIFE 1.Stop seeking YOUR OWN WAY OF SALVATION.  Be watchful of any subtle “self-righteousness” hidden in your heart/life.  Renounce your own righteousness.  Turn to Christ and submit to God’s way of salvation. 2.Put your FULL faith in Christ AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD!  Be watchful against the half-gospel and turn from it.  Acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus as you follow him daily.  Share the whole gospel with others!