Salvation: Unlocking God's Grace (Part 2)

Salvation: Unlocking God's Grace (Part 2)
Romans 10:1-13

 

The Misunderstanding about Salvation (v2-8)

                In the first part we discovered that the word “salvation” or “saved” as it appears in Romans 10:1 means “safety, deliverance, preservation from danger or destruction.”  We also pointed out that Paul points out in verse 1 that he is praying for their salvation.  Why would he feel the need to pray for the salvation of God’s chosen people?  These were the people who were given the law.  The Old Testament is filled with God’s miracles from Abraham to Malachi.  In Israel’s story we also see God’s mercy.  Did Paul have it wrong?  As we look at verses 2-8, we actually discover that the Israelites had developed a misunderstanding about salvation and the Law.  Hence, if you read the entire book of Romans, you will find that.  For example, in Romans 4, Paul presents the case that Abraham was considered righteous long before the creation of the Law. 

“For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Romans 4:3). 

Even today, there tends to be a misunderstanding about salvation.  Salvation is a matter of redemption, not religion.  Redemption leads to a relationship with Christ.  That relationship with Christ leads to becoming a Christian.  Here is where the misunderstanding was taking place.

Salvation is not found in obedience to the Law (v5).

The focus of Israel was obedience to the Law.  They had a zeal for God but they were lacking knowledge.  They knew the law but they did not know Jesus (v2).  What Paul is saying here is that they lacked a personal relationship.  They did not know God’s righteousness and were trying to create their own way of salvation (this is religion) (v3).  God’s righteousness, as Paul points out, is Jesus (v4).  Many people know the Bible but they do not personally know the Jesus of the Bible.  It more about head knowledge but what God is looking for is heart knowledge.  One may know Jesus in their head but they are missing out because they do not know Him in their heart. 

Let’s take a look at a paraphrase of verse 5.

“Moses said that a person could become acceptable to God by obeying the Law. He did this when he wrote, "If you want to live, you must do all that the Law commands." (Romans 10:5, CEV)

If the Law was to be a source of righteousness, then it is important that the one who follows the Law is to follow the entire letter of the law.  James writes:

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. (James 2:10)

Even if you broke one point, you have become guilty of all of the Law, not just that one point.  At this point, it would be wise to remember Paul’s words in Romans 3. 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23)

We have fallen short.  Because of it, we are not able to obtain righteousness through the Law.  But praise the Lord, there is a hope found in Christ.  The righteousness is not our own, it is the righteousness of Christ that saves us.  Until we develop a personal relationship with Christ which requires salvation, then we will never obtain that righteousness.  We cannot work or earn our way into Heaven.  But Christ earned it for us.

As Paul seeks to correct the misunderstanding about salvation, he is setting the stage in verse 6-8 to reveal the astounding and remarkable truth about salvation and how it is obtained.