There were no more zealous a people than God’s chosen people the Israelites. The problem was not their zeal; no, instead it was where their zeal was focused that left them empty. They did not understand the heart of their Heavenly Father, and His desire to make salvation straightforward. Here, in Romans 10, Paul sets out the ABCs of salvation.
First, and probably most importantly for the Romans, Paul wanted them to grasp that God’s salvation was for ANYONE. Our Father did not limit the redemptive power of His grace to the Jewish nation only. In several of Paul’s letters to the churches, Paul made clear that in Christ there is no distinction, Jew or Greek, male or female , slave or free. When the Father created us, He wanted fellowship with us ALL.
It was people’s sin that separated them from God, and sadly from each other. Even in this generation, with all the information in the world at our fingertips, we still have failed to recognize that it is our sin and not our God that separates us. I hear the last line of our national pledge ringing so loudly, “One Nation, Under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for ALL!” If salvation is the topic, then that salvation is first and foremost for ALL!
Second, salvation comes from BELIEVING. Believing in God and believing that it is Christ’s sacrifice that saves us. We can never sin enough to overcome Christ’s sacrifice. Still, one has to believe that it is in fact, Christ’s sacrifice and not our own, that cancels the debt of our sin.
I personally struggle, even now, with the idea that my self-righteousness or sacrifices somehow act as a payment for my wicked heart. Or even worse, that my behavior somehow buys me the “Gold Package of Christianity”. You know, the one that allows me a seat next to James and John…Lol. The reality is that I have done nothing, nor have I avoided any big sin that raises me to some “Heavenly Gold package”. It is simply my belief that God is God, and that Jesus Christ is enough; that brings salvation.
Finally, our salvation comes from our CONFESSION that Jesus Christ is Lord! When Paul wrote to the Philippians, he expressed the truth that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow; in Heaven, on Earth, and under the Earth every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. People can say God easily and flippantly during their day and in a crowd with little or no reaction.
When someone speaks the name of Jesus, however, there is an instant and real reaction. Those who love the Lord react accordingly. If the name is said in a mean or vain way, we are immediately put into defense mode ready to stand firm for our Lord. If it is said in a worshipful way, we are joined in that worship.
Conversely, when one is not a believer, the name of Jesus causes an equally visceral reaction. People literally become angry and disturbed at hearing the name. That is what makes the need to confess that Jesus is Lord so important.
Salvation is not a casual acquaintance with the principles of the Bible. it is instead a personal relationship with the God of the Universe. We have to submit to the Lordship of Jesus in our lives, not simply make the sign of the cross on our chest, in some proverbial end zone after a touchdown. We must choose, as Joshua did, to serve the Lord. Joshua 24:15
Our faith is as simple as ABC! If ANYONE CONFESSES that Jesus Christ is Lord, and BELIEVES that God has raised them from the dead, they will be saved.
God Bless You
Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous 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. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.”[a] 6 But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’”[b] (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’”[c] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,”[d] that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 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] 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”[f]
Walking With God 