10 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. 3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
The Jewish people did what they thought God wanted. They did it with a passion and dedication that it puts most modern Christians to shame. The old adage “work smarter, not harder” is a good way to explain what went wrong. The Jewish people worked so hard to do what they thought God wanted which was to obey the Law. Unfortunately, they did not understand what God wanted. God wanted them to love him, love their neighbors and rest in his grace. Instead they substituted their excitement and activities for the true worship of God.
The Message of Salvation to All
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ ” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But 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);
Paul is bringing his argument to a point by referring to Deuteronomy 30:12 where Moses was discussing knowing the law of God. The idea of going to heavens or even the depths of the abyss was that of various pagan religions where you had to go on quests to find out what the gods wanted. Paul is saying that God is not hiding, he is near you. So near that it is like he is in your mouth and heart.
9 because, 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. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 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. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Because God is so near, anyone anywhere can receive the free gift of God (which Christians call getting saved). What must we do? First, we must confess Jesus as Lord. That is a surrendering of control of our lives to him. Second, we must believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. We must believe that God is behind the sacrifice and redemptive work of Jesus. True belief will lead to action and affects every aspect of our life.
14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? 15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news! That should be everyone who claims to be a Christian. In our modern times, Christian beliefs and morals are no longer popular within our culture. Despite the cultural views the church should be actively sharing the gospel and celebrating those who do share.
18 But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.” 19 But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, “I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.” 20 Then Isaiah is so bold as to say, “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.” 21 But of Israel he says, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
The Jewish people were stubborn and disobedient towards God. They turned a deaf ear to God’s ways and so God allowed those who were not his special people to join in the grace he has poured out. Some people may never want to hear about God or at least act that way. As followers of Christ, it is our job to share with everyone everywhere. You never know who will respond. It might not be the person you wanted, but it could someone overhearing or seeing your attempts. So just keep trying.
Pastor Mark
“Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. May not copy or download more than 500 consecutive verses of the ESV Bible or more than one half of any book of the ESV Bible.”
Comments are closed