This is the forty-first in a series of verse-by-verse expositions of the book of Romans. This message was delivered at Hillcrest Baptist Church on the morning of March 2, 2014. This message deals with the issue of salvation, and contrasts the Biblical word of faith to the false, modern-day word of faith movement. This post contains an audio recording of my message, along with my sermon notes and a study outline. Please note that the sermon notes are not a full transcript.
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Romans 10:5-13
v.5:
Paul is using Leviticus 18:5 to make a point about the faith based salvation that Christ offers.
A lot of people in Paul’s had accused Paul of misusing the OT, which they thought to be teaching salvation through obedience to God’s law.
This, of course, was not taught in the O.T.
A thought similar to v.5 is offered in Habakkuk 2:4, which actually refers back to the example of Abraham in Genesis 15:6
The idea here, is the entirety of Abraham’s obedient or faithful life.
We must understand that Abraham’s obedience was the result of his initial faith.
It’s very clear from the entirety of Paul’s writings, that he considered an obedient life to be the result of faith.
As such, he tells us to work out our own salvation (that is, to prove our salvation by our works).
Philippians 2:12
“Shall live by them. . .” Remember that Biblical faith is provable, it is based on substance and evidence.
Hebrews 11:1.
It is a faith that can be tested and proven.
In this case, our personal faith is proven by what we do. Therefore, our obedience proves our faith.
James 2:18-20
Obedience is simply the result of our faith.
It is the work of faith, or faith in put into practice.
Faith should be lived, and that can only be done through our obedience.
In the end, faith becomes more than just what we believe, it also becomes something we do.
We should always be looking for new ways to put our faith into practice.
Faith and the law work hand in hand, and faith leads to obedience to God’s law.
However, if you live by the law and place your trust in the law (that is trusting in your own works, instead of faith in Christ), you will be judged by the law.
You WILL get a fair trial, and you don’t want that.
No one can keep the law perfectly, so you can either accept your wages (what you have earned and deserve) Romans 6:23, or you can accept God’s gracious gift that you do not deserve.
The choice is yours.
vv.6-7:
One doesn’t need to ask that Christ be brought down from Heaven or raised from the dead, its already happened.
The work has already been done, and will not be done again. once is sufficient.
Hebrews 7:27
Hebrews 6:4-6
v.8:
Christ is already near in your mouth and heart (v.8). That’s the message of faith.
Paul is actually quoting Deuteronomy 30:14 and is using it as a reference to salvation in Christ.
Christ has provided our salvation through his incarnation (God in human form) and resurrection.
God’s salvation is right in front of us.
All we need to do is to respond and accept his gift of salvation.
Paul calls this the word of faith.
v.9:
This is the real word of faith, the faith that leads to salvation.
Not to be confused with the perverted false doctrine that is the modern day word of faith movement.
The true word of faith has nothing to do with the perversion known as the prosperity gospel, which is central to today’s false word of faith movement.
The Biblical word of faith is not the perversion that turns man into a god, or makes God subservient to man.
The real word of faith has nothing to do with declaring things and thus making it magically happen.
We don’t tell God what to do, we do what He tells us to do.
The true word of faith is defined for us in this verse, and it is the faith based confession unto salvation.
There is no other word of faith, despite what the Joel Osteens, Kenneth Copelands, or Benny Hinns of the world would tell you.
These men are false prophets, poison to the church. They are nothing but wolves leading sheep on a feel-good joy ride to hell.
This is also not a simple acknowledgment that there is a God, since even demons acknowledge that to be true (James 2:19)
This is the deep personal conviction, without reservation, that Jesus is one’s own Lord and Savior.
This is trusting in Jesus for salvation, and submitting to him as Lord.
It involves trusting Him with your life, and recognizing Him as your master.
It involves a belief in the bodily resurrection of Christ, for without the resurrection, the work of salvation is incomplete.
One cannot deny the resurrection AND be a born again believer at the same time.
v.10:
It is nearness of Christ in the mouth and heart, which brings confession unto salvation.
Deuteronomy 30:14
This verse basically means to say the same thing, or to be in agreement with someone.
The person who confesses Jesus as Lord (v. 9) agrees with the Father’s declaration that Jesus is Savior and Lord.
Notice the order of events. First one believes, then they confess.
Your belief will cause you to acknowledge and confess Jesus as Lord.
v.11:
“. . .not be put to shame.”
This quote from Isaiah 49:23 demonstrates that salvation by grace through faith alone has always been God’s salvation plan.
vv.12-13:
This verse makes it clear that all people have equal access to salvation.
It does not mean that everyone is equal in every respect, but when it comes to the saving work of Christ, no one is excluded from the offer of salvation!
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