By Robert E. Jackson, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Christian Studies, University of Mobile
Saved
Romans 10:5–15
Confess and Believe (5–10)
Israel, as God’s elect nation, missed that righteousness is attained only by faith. Paul quotes Moses to emphasize the inability of humans to achieve righteousness through the law. The Jews did not and could not meet the laws’ perfect demands; therefore, they need the Savior. Furthermore, when properly taught, the law points people to Christ and His grace.
Paul states people do not need to ascend to heaven to discover salvation; the Lord has come down to earth. Moreover, people do not need to search the depths for deliverance; Christ descended into the abyss and rose again. Therefore, salvation is both near and possible for all people. The Scripture says you must confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead and you will be saved. A driving force of Paul’s life is to proclaim this truth.
The verb “proclaiming” is in the present tense, meaning Paul and his companions continually share Christ and invite people to respond in faith. Salvation is not merely an intellectual assent to the gospel; salvation is evidenced by a transformed heart. However, salvation is reflected in outward conduct. Both the heart and mouth are connected. When someone confesses and believes, he or she becomes a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17) with continual belief and justification as byproducts flowing from his or her life.
Whoever (11–13)
The Jews were persnickety in their election. Not only did they miss the fact that salvation is available through faith, but they also underestimated the vastness of the scope of salvation. To them, their “special” position with God left no room for Gentiles. They understood that salvation is available to God’s chosen people who fulfill the law through their own efforts.
Paul, however, emphasizes that salvation is available to anyone who believes. Jews and Gentiles are saved the same way, through faith in Jesus. God chooses to richly bless with salvation, everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord. People from every tongue, tribe and nation have access to God through faith. I find great comfort and confidence in this truth. Everyone I meet, in whatever circumstance, can experience God’s hope because “whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Tell All (14–15)
Paul uses rhetorical questions to build to the necessity to tell others the gospel. After all, no one can call on Jesus when he or she hasn’t believed or heard. If the gospel is available to everyone, then everyone must have an opportunity to hear the news that Jesus saves. Who will go? Those who are sent. Don’t miss the point that Jesus is sending all believers (see Matt. 28:18–20; Acts 1:8).
Sometimes, to our detriment, we read this passage only to involve vocational missionaries and preachers. We thank God He calls some people to serve vocationally in the ministry, but this fact does not excuse any Christian of his or her responsibility of proclaiming Christ. All believers are set apart by God and sent. In other words, we, along with pastors and missionaries, must be busy fulfilling the Great Commission.
Our churches must be investing our prayers, financial resources and energy to carry the gospel to our world. I find it interesting that hot, smelly feet are stated to be beautiful. Think about it — they may be dirty after a journey to tell others about Jesus, but they are glorious to those who eagerly await to hear the good news. Time is short. People are dying without Christ every day. If we don’t tell today, it may be too late.
On that day, when we stand before our Savior, I pray He looks at you and me and draws attention to us as He states, “look at their beautiful feet.”
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