Anyone Can be Saved
July 10, 2019
Commentary
This section of scripture emphasizes the difference between righteousness by the law, and righteousness by faith.
Righteousness by Law
Righteousness by Faith
Only for the Jew
For “whosoever”
Based on works
Comes by faith alone
Self-righteousness
God’s righteousness
Cannot Save
Brings Salvation
Tries to obey the Lord
Calls on the Lord
Leads to Pride
Glorifies God
Paul shows there is something that precedes an acceptance of Christ, and something that follows it:
1. Christ Received as Savior (vv. 5-9) – To be saved by the law a person must live according to all the precepts of the law without violating a single one. Of course, no one can live such a perfect life.
2. Christ Confessed as Savior (vv. 10-13) – Believing comes before confessing. Confessing without belief is either self-deception or hypocrisy, while trust without confession may be cowardice. To be saved depends on faith, but faith leads to confession.
Concerning verse 13 John Phillips, in his book Exploring Romans, says: “Could the gospel message ever be reduced to simpler terms than this? Where, within the content of one short verse, can be found a better statement of the scope(“whosoever”), the simplicity (“call upon the name of the Lord”) and the substance (“shall be saved”) of the gospel?”
Application
I can never be saved by my own self-righteousness. I must never depend on what I do, but on what Christ has already done. He not only saved me, but He keeps me.
Romans 10:5– 13 (NET)
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is by the law: “The one who does these things will live by them.” 6 But the righteousness that is by 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 preach), 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 thus has righteousness and with the mouth one confesses and thus has salvation. 11 For the scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between the Jew and the Greek, for the same Lord is Lord of all, who richly blesses all who call on him. 13 For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Illustration: The Road of Righteousness is Always Uphill
“You can always tell when you are on the road of righteousness – it’s always uphill.” (Ernest Blevens in “Who Said that?” by George Sweeting.)