GOD'S MESSAGE TO A LOST WORLD, Dr. Samuel Lee
THE RIGHTEOUSNESS THAT IS BY FAITH
Passage: Romans 10:1~13  
Key verse: 9
10 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire(A) and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous(B) for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.(C) 4 Christ is the culmination of the law(D) so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.(E)
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a](F) 6 But the righteousness that is by faith(G) says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b](H) (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c](I) (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).(J) 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d](K) that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare(L) with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,”(M) and believe(N) in your heart that God raised him from the dead,(O) you will be saved.(P) 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.”[e](Q) 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile(R)—the same Lord is Lord of all(S) and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord(T) will be saved.”[f](U)
Footnotes
- Romans 10:5 Lev. 18:5
- Romans 10:6 Deut. 30:12
- Romans 10:7 Deut. 30:13
- Romans 10:8 Deut. 30:14
- Romans 10:11 Isaiah 28:16 (see Septuagint)
- Romans 10:13 Joel 2:32
Cross references
- Romans 10:1 : Ps 20:4
- Romans 10:2 : S Ac 21:20
- Romans 10:3 : Ro 1:17; S 9:31
- Romans 10:4 : Gal 3:24; Ro 7:1-4
- Romans 10:4 : S Ro 3:22
- Romans 10:5 : Lev 18:5; Dt 4:1; 6:24; Ne 9:29; Pr 19:16; Isa 55:3; Eze 20:11, 13, 21; S Ro 7:10
- Romans 10:6 : S Ro 9:30
- Romans 10:6 : Dt 30:12
- Romans 10:7 : Dt 30:13
- Romans 10:7 : S Ac 2:24
- Romans 10:8 : Dt 30:14
- Romans 10:9 : Mt 10:32
- Romans 10:9 : S Jn 13:13
- Romans 10:9 : S Jn 3:15
- Romans 10:9 : S Ac 2:24
- Romans 10:9 : S Ro 11:14
- Romans 10:11 : Isa 28:16; Ro 9:33
- Romans 10:12 : S Ro 3:22, 29
- Romans 10:12 : S Mt 28:18
- Romans 10:13 : S Ac 2:21
- Romans 10:13 : Joel 2:32
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Source:  BibleGateway
1. Zeal without knowledge (1-4).
The Israelites were on Paul's heart and in his prayers. The Israelites were like a person running in place - they were working hard, but going nowhere. It is because their idea of the way to salvation was mistaken. They were trying to achieve their own righteousness by keeping the law, which is impossible. The law was completely satisfied by Jesus' death on the cross. What they needed to do was to run to him. He is the righteousness of God and the way to life.
2. Righteousness by faith (5-13).
The way of salvation is close to us. It is through believing in our hearts and professing with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and that through his death and resurrection our sins have been forgiven. It is not about what we have done, but what God has done for us. Anyone who calls upon his name will be saved.
Prayer: Lord Jesus, righteousness is found only in you. You died in our place so that we might live.
One Word: Righteousness is by faith, not by works