“For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:12-13).

 

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Continued from My Roman Holiday: Romans 9.

“Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes” (Romans 10:1-4). The apostle Paul opens Romans 10 by acknowledging that the purpose of the law is to reveal, to convict, and to condemn sin. In reference to Israel, Paul says that if they had believed, they would have recognized that Christ is the fulfilment of the law; the foretold messiah. God was always available, but instead, Israel sought a righteousness of their own. In fact, again we see that Jews and Gentiles, alike, are without excuse, as Paul borrows the words of Psalm 19:4 to demonstrate: “But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: ‘Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world’ (Romans 10:18).

Paul makes the argument that God has always been accessible; it was never necessary for anyone to “ascend into heaven” (Romans 10:6) or “descend into the deep” (Romans 10:7). Paul uses Deuteronomy 30:14 to reiterate that, like the law, the gospel is closeby, accessible, and intelligible; it can be expressed in normal conversation; it can be readily understood in the mind (i.e. the heart). The gospel is the Good News of salvation by faith, in Jesus Christ, which Paul and the other apostles preached. “For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved’” (Romans 10:12-13).

Romans 10 is full of any number of other revelations and wonderful truths worth exploring, but I have written what I believe the Holy Spirit has guided me to write.

Romans 10 speaks into our lives today; like ancient Israel, we struggle with legalism today.  As I embark on my Roman holiday, I look forward to the journey ahead. Romans 10 proclaims family and belonging; that the Lord is Lord of all people; that God’s grace and mercy are available to anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord, Jesus. Ours is a righteousness by faith! Until next time, and Romans 11!

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