Grace Bible Church

4000 E. Collins Rd. P.O. Box #3762 Gillette, WY 82717 (307) 686-1516

“Preaching the Living Word through the Written Word (2Tim 4:2)”

SALVATION IS THE RIGHTEOUSNESS BY FAITH

(Romans 10:6-13) 7/6/08

Grace Bible Church, Gillette, Wyoming

Pastor Daryl Hilbert

I. THE MESSAGE OF SALVATION IS NOT FAR AWAY (10:6-8)

A. In vs. 5, Paul made reference to Lev 18:5 concerning the man who attempts to achieve righteousness based on the Law. However, the implication is that since no one is able to keep the Law, the judgment of the Law will fall upon him.

B. In contrast (vs. 6), Paul quotes De 30:12 in order to describe the gospel, namely the righteousness that is based on faith.

1. A little explanation of De 30:12 is necessary because its context centers on Moses speaking and warning Israel. The warning to Israel was if they turned away from the Lord, He would discipline and disperse them.

2. Yet the Lord promised to restore them, which is the theme found in Ro 9, 10, and 11. His message was that they would not have to make a worldwide search for His salvation.

3. Paul applies these words to the gospel and no one, including Israel, need make a worldwide search for salvation. No one need say, “Who will ascend into heaven?”

4. Paul adds his own thoughts to his explanation, “that is to bring Christ down.” There is no need for anyone to search for a Messiah, for He has already come from heaven to earth in His Incarnation.

C. Paul substitutes the “abyss” for the “sea in De 30:13 (vs. 7) for a fitting symbol of Christ’s death. This is done to explain that no one needs to search for a Messiah to die for the sins of man and be raised from the dead.

D. Paul continues his application by quoting De 30:14 (8).

1. He uses the same point as the Scripture to say not only is there no need to search for salvation, but that salvation is very “near.”

2. In fact, salvation is so near that it is in their mouths and hearts and was the same message that Paul was preaching (pres act ind - kerússō continually preaching and proclaiming).

II. THE MEDIATOR OF SALVATION IS BY FAITH IN CHRIST (10:9-10)

A. What was Paul’s message? He goes on to explain. The gospel that Paul preached focused on the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ. In His person, He is deity, which is equivalent to saying that He is God. In His work, He is Mediator and Savior by means of His death and resurrection.

B. These truths are realized in Paul’s expression in vs. 9.

1. An individual wanting salvation must confess Jesus as “Lord.” The word “Lord” (kúrios - authority, lord or master) here especially refers to the deity of Christ. “LORD” (all capitals) is the OT name for Yahweh, which is God’s covenantal name as the Self-Existent One.

a) Yahweh will not share His name or glory with anyone else (Isa 42:8).

b) Yahweh is the only Savior and there is no other Savior besides Him (Is 43:11).

c) Yahweh is the only LORD and there is none beside Him (Isa 45:6).

d) Yahweh will require every knee to bow and every tongue confess Him as LORD (Is 45:23 cp. Phil 2:11).

e) When Paul says that men are to confess Jesus as Lord, he means that they must acknowledge Him as God (cp. Mt 16:16; Jn 20:31; 1Jn 5:13). The word “confess” (homologéō) literally means to same the same thing. When one confesses Jesus as Lord, he is acknowledging Jesus not as a man, but as God and Savior.

2. Faith alone is quintessential for salvation, but it is not blind faith. Saving Faith is exercised from the heart upon Christ’s finished work on the cross.

a) Faith (pisteúō) is always directed toward Christ until it comes to rest upon (epì - prep. on or upon, cp. Ac 16:31) Christ.

b) It is not only intellectual faith but also volitional faith (“heart” - from the will) exercised by the will.

c) Faith is exercised in the work of Christ. Paul only makes mention of the resurrection here, but it goes without saying that one can only be resurrected after he has died. Christ was the first to be resurrected and His resurrection proved that He is the Son of God (Ro 1:4) and that our sins have been atoned (1Co 15:17).

d) If a person exercises his faith in Christ, the Lord promises with all certainty that he “will be saved.”

C. In vs. 9, Paul mentioned confession before belief probably in conjunction with the order of De 30:14 (“in your mouth and in your heart”).

1. Here Paul reverses the order in his explanation. It is with the heart that a person believes and the result (eís - prep. “into”, sometimes as a result) is righteousness.

2. Justification (dikaiosúnê - divine imputation of righteousness) is by faith and faith alone (cp. Ro 1:17).

D. The word “confession” here is merely saying the same thing (homologéō) that the heart believes (10).

1. It says that the result is salvation. There is no difference between justification and salvation.

2. There is no distinction to be drawn between confession and faith. The confession is believed and the faith confessed. (C.K. Baird)

III. THE MINISTRY OF SALVATION IS UNIVERSAL (10:11-13)

A. In vs. 11, Paul quotes Is 28:16, which speaks with reference to the “cornerstone,” over which Israel has stumbled (Is 8:14 cp. Ro 9:33).

1. Is 28:16 promises that those who believe will not be “disappointed” (kataischúnō - humiliate or put to shame) or shamed by trusting in Christ.

2. They are promised no condemnation (Ro 8:1), sonship (Ro 8:14-15), and eternal life (Ro 6:23).

B. This is a universal promise and there is no “distinction” (diastoĺê - difference by distinction) between Jew and Greek (12).

1. This is the second time we have seen that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. The first usage was in reference to universal total depravity (Ro 3:23).

2. Christ is the same Lord of all and over all. He may have different purposes and programs for individuals and nations but He is the same Lord yesterday, today, and forever (He 13:8).

3. Paul concludes that there is no distinction toward those who call upon the Lord and He is rich in mercy and grace toward them.

C. Paul emphatically declares from Joel 2:32 that anyone who calls upon the Lord will be saved.

1. The offer of salvation is universal for all (Jew or Gentile) who call upon the Lord.

2. To “call on the name of the Lord” is to have the arms of faith reach out to Christ for salvation.

IV. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS

A. Salvation in Regard to the Jew

1. Even though Romans has been speaking of Israel’s unbelief, the offer of salvation is still present.

2. Israel’s future salvation is promised in Romans 11.

B. Salvation in Regard to the Responsibility of Man.

1. Even though Romans teaches the sovereignty of God, man is responsibility for his rejection of Christ.

2. Faith has always been and continues to be the prerequisite for salvation.

C. Salvation in Regard to “Lordship Salvation”

1. A person must acknowledge that Jesus is Lord and God in order for him to be saved.

2. However, we must never include works of any kind in the simple gospel message of faith alone in Christ alone. Salvation and sanctification must never be confused.

D. Salvation in Regard to Security

1. The believer’s security is only as stable as God’s promises.

2. Therefore, the believer who has called upon the Lord for salvation can be absolutely sure that he “will be saved” (sōthêsetai - fut pass ind) by the Lord.