This the power of the Cross – Christ became sin for us.
”In all of the history of the world there has never been a more meaningful and powerful moment than when my Son called out, “It is finished”’ on the cross. My carefully laid plans, often appearing like a disaster and completely out of control – coming to fruition and laying the foundation of my future kingdom into eternity. That plan is so vast and complete that it makes my creation of the human body and mind like a Lego puzzle in comparison. And know that you and all your readers are each one an integral part of that plan.”
We continue through the section of Romans in chapters 9-11, where Paul addresses full on, the problem of the Jewish Christians and the Gentile one’s being truly united into one body, the church. Please read Roman’s 10:5-13.
Today’s reading contains perhaps one of the clearest directives to becoming a Christian, in the simplest way. It also brackets the statement by Paul in ch 1:17. ”For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith”.
First we have to wade through vv 5-8. I suggest you don’t break your head on what Paul is trying to convey. Simply put, the Jews were trying to find a righteousness by obeying the law which was “out there” when actually the true way of righteousness is right here so close even on our tongues, referring to Christ, of course.
Vv 9,10 are the key verses. The point, which is not made so clearly elsewhere, is that, while a heartfelt belief or faith in Christ, here pictured as “one raised from the dead, is the means of receiving salvation, it is necessary to confess this with your mouth, to be saved. The act of confessing with your mouth seems to cement the knowledge that you have received salvation and the Holy Spirit. Many times I have prayed with someone to receive Christ, where I have told them to find someone to tell what has just happened to them as soon as possible. This is an important step.
This step. Is often depicted in the bible where someone believes and then becomes baptised immediately afterwards. That act of baptism is a visible confession of what has happened to the person, the washing away of the old sinful life and as they come out of the water a symbol of resurrection into a new life. This act of baptism at that moment is far more meaningful than one done weeks or sometimes years after salvation. And your salvation is not any the less valid if you are not baptised but only confess with your mouth.
So in our reading today, Paul’s conclusion is that both Jew and Gentile, having gone through this process, are then absolutely equal in the kingdom vs 12. The ultimate measure is whether they believe and trust in Jesus and call on His name. Vs 13.
May this passage stay with you as you may have an opportunity to share the gospel with someone. God bless you all, till next week.