Romans 10
Romans 10: Faith, Righteousness, and the Power of the Word
As we dive into Romans 10, we’re confronted with some deep and powerful truths. It’s a chapter packed with theological depth and spiritual challenge. From the tension between righteousness by works and righteousness by faith, to the role of our hearts and mouths in salvation, there’s a lot to unpack. Here’s a closer look at what stood out to us and how we can apply it to our lives today.
1. The Zeal Without Knowledge
In the opening verses of Romans 10, Paul makes an important observation about those who are zealous for God, but their zeal isn’t rooted in the knowledge of God. He writes, “I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge” (Romans 10:2). This is a strong reminder for us: zeal is not enough. Without a true understanding of God’s righteousness, our efforts can be misguided.
It’s so easy in today’s world to create our own standards of morality and righteousness. We all see it: people creating systems that seem good to them, but fall short when tested by God’s truth. The issue here is one of submission. If we aren’t submitting to God’s way of doing things, we end up creating our own systems, often causing more confusion and harm than good. This is especially evident when we look at issues like morality, identity, and even how we should treat others. If we aren’t submitting to God’s standards, our attempts to make things “right” will never truly work.
2. Righteousness by Faith, Not Works
A central theme of Romans 10 is the contrast between righteousness by faith and righteousness by works. Paul explains that Israel’s failure to attain righteousness came because they tried to achieve it through works, not faith (Romans 9:32). The law wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t enough to save. As Paul highlights in Romans 10:4, “Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.”
What a powerful statement! Righteousness doesn’t come from our efforts; it comes from Jesus. He is the fulfillment of the law. He did what we could not do. The key here is belief. It’s not about what we can do for God, but about accepting what God has done for us through Jesus Christ. This is the essence of the gospel: Jesus paid the price for our sins, and through faith in Him, we are made righteous before God.
3. The Relationship Between Heart and Confession
One of the most comforting truths in Romans 10 is the clear explanation of how salvation works. In verse 10:10, Paul says, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” This isn’t just a formula; it’s about the transformation that takes place in us when we encounter Christ.
Before Jesus, the idea of salvation through faith was not possible. But now, because of Jesus' death and resurrection, we are able to believe with our hearts and confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord. This is not about earning salvation but responding to the grace that God has extended to us. Our relationship with God is built on this confession and belief, and it’s a relationship that changes us from the inside out. We don’t simply “believe” as a mental ascent—we believe with our hearts, which leads to a life of transformation and new identity in Christ.
4. The Power of the Word and the Call to Share
Faith, as Paul makes clear, comes from hearing the message of Christ (Romans 10:17). This reinforces a truth we’ve touched on many times in our own discussions: we cannot just sit back and passively wait for God to move in our lives. We are called to actively engage with the Word, to hear it, and to share it with others. This is part of the relationship we now have with Jesus. When we truly understand what He’s done for us, we can’t help but speak about it, share it, and live it out.
This isn’t about making a statement of faith and then waiting to see if God will act. No, we’re part of the action! The Word has been given to us to internalize, to speak, and to share. It’s a living, active part of our lives, and as we allow it to shape us, we are called to share it with others so they too can experience the life-changing power of Jesus.
As we reflect on Romans 10, it’s clear that this passage challenges us to move beyond a surface-level understanding of righteousness and faith. It’s about a heart transformed by Jesus, a confession that flows from that heart, and a life that reflects His glory. What stands out to us is that salvation is not a matter of trying to earn our way to God, but rather, it’s about accepting His gift of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ.
Let’s keep pushing into that relationship, giving effort, not to earn God’s love, but to return the love He’s shown us, and to be faithful in sharing the truth of the gospel with those around us.
