Download Lesson 14 FOUNDATIONS OF THE FAITH Class

Lesson 14
FOUNDATIONS OF THE FAITH
Class Notes for April 12, 2016
Rom.10:1-21, Righteousness Based on Faith
Chapters 9, 10 and 11 of Romans are addressed specifically to the Jews. Their rejection of Jesus
in spite of their long history of special revelation from God has caused Paul great sorrow and unceasing
grief. He has pointed out in their own history how God has blessed, protected, disciplined and taught
them. God's sovereignty has been demonstrated to them as he gave them the covenants, the Law and
temple service, leaders, prophets, and the promise of a Messiah. God never depended on their efforts to
bring about His purposes. They did not earn or deserve the lovingkindness which God had shown to
them. It was God who chose the nation of Israel through whom He would be revealed in power to the
entire world. God's compassion and mercy toward them was His choice as was His wrath and justice on
others. As the one who created all things and rules over all things, God works sovereignly and
according to His own desires to accomplish His purposes.
The Jews had sought to attain righteousness by obedience to the Law without regard to the
condition of their heart before God. Even so, it is impossible to obey the Law to obtain righteousness.
However, Gentiles who pursued righteousness by faith did receive salvation.
Rom. 10:1-4
Paul's Prayer for Israel
Paul's argument is most persuasive, but may not be convincing to them. Prayer is always
appropriate and powerful because we pray to a powerful God who listens to His children and acts on
their behalf. Paul prays for their salvation. Our doctrine of election which confirms that God has
chosen those who are saved before the foundation of the world, does not negate any means through
which God may accomplish His work. He has ordained what will be, and He has ordained the means by
which it will be accomplished. Prayer is always worthwhile, and prayers for the lost are the most
important of all.
Knowledge is essential to salvation: The gospel is the power of salvation, and it is through the
preaching and teaching of the gospel that God saves. Paul acknowledges their zeal or devotion to the
things of God but points out that their zeal is not accompanied by knowledge. Many people are sincere
and enthusiastic in their approach to God, but they may be sincerely wrong. Paul points out their error:
They did not know the difference between their righteousness which would be gained by works and
God's righteousness which was attained only through faith in Christ. Isaiah rebuked Israel in this
regard stating that their righteousness was like a filthy garment. Only God's righteousness, divine
righteousness, which is imputed to us through Jesus is acceptable to God. 2 Cor. 5:21
God's righteousness is His holiness, His very nature, which is unique to Him and relates to His
purity. For those who are in Christ, it is an ethical standing and also a legal standing in which God
declares someone to be righteous and acquitted before God: justified. Man's righteousness is gained
through good works and avoiding evil, and can never be perfect or acceptable to God. It was Jesus who
perfectly fulfilled the Law on behalf of all who are saved and who could not accomplish that for
themselves. It is Jesus' righteousness which clothes/covers us before God. This righteousness is given
by grace through faith. Positionally, our righteousness before God is complete in that we are seated with
Jesus in the heavenly places. Eph. 2:6 Functionally, we are working out that righteousness in our
sanctification which will be completed when we are glorified by God and Jesus is fully revealed in us.
1
Rom. 10:5-10
Where Righteousness Can Be Found
Moses had warned Israel that the ones who practiced righteousness based solely on the law
would be judged by that law. True righteousness is attained only through faith, a gift from God, and
may seem elusive to the one who wants to "do" something to be saved. Paul points out that no one need
seek high and low for righteousness since it is so near. Paul says, Just listen! It is the word of Christ
which he is preaching. Isaiah had warned Israel about the importance of turning to God with their
hearts. God’s presence was so near in the revelations which He had given them. The very words that
they uttered and the religious practices of sacrifices and devotion which they observed were about Jesus.
Salvation has always been about faith in Jesus, and it is Jesus whom Paul is preaching.
Proof of true faith is to confess Jesus as Lord (in the Kingdom of God) and believing in one's
heart (innermost being) that God raised Him from the dead (confirmation that Jesus is the Messiah). It
is God who changes hearts enabling someone to have true faith. Ezek. 36:26-27 A new heart results in
belief, belief results in righteousness; confession results in salvation. This is not a progression leading to
salvation but rather the evidence of a new heart. Someone with a new heart is by definition saved. That
salvation is only by the righteousness of Jesus and must result in open confession. There is no "secret
discipleship". There is no way to live with Jesus as Lord in secret. Jesus' Lordship affects every aspect
of our lives. While the world may compartmentalize their lives (My private life does not affect my job
as President), Christians must fully integrate faith into everything that we think and do.
Confession has several manifestations: public worship, observing the sacraments, association
with God's people, how we conduct business, reaching out to others with truth and kindness,
maintaining integrity during temptations, enduring severe trials with hope, and even at death having a
testimony of faithfulness and the expectation of eternal life. Jesus said, "Whoever acknowledges Me
before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven." Matt. 10:32
Rom. 10:11-12
Whoever Believes
We have already established that simply believing, a cognitive process, is not sufficient for
salvation. Confirming scriptures would be James 2:19, demons believe; and Acts 8:9-24, Simon the
magician who believed, was baptized, joined Philip's ministry and yet was not saved. Saving belief is
always rooted in faith, a gift from God.
In these verses Paul is reminding the Jews that God had always intended to bring the Gentiles
into a covenant relationship with Him through Jesus. Gentiles have equal standing before God with
Jews. The history of God's dealings with the Jews as a means of revelation of His glory would formerly
have given them an advantage, but they had rejected their Messiah, Jesus. Jesus came for the Jews first
and then to the Gentiles. Jesus was born from the tribe of Judah, His own human people, but they
rejected Him (John 1:11). Whoever will call on the name of the LORD will be saved. In Christ there is
neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female. Gal. 3:28 Whoever calls on the name of the
Lord will not be disappointed (some translations say "will not be ashamed".) Jesus never disappoints
and although the world may reject Him and those who are His, there is an eternal glory waiting for all
who are in Christ. There will be eternal disappointment and shame for those who reject Christ now.
Belief rooted in faith is essential, but also the content of that belief must be truth according to the
revealed word of God. Many people have been deceived by false gospels, such as the gospel according
to television (lifestyle counselors or motivational speakers), the gospel of self-esteem (ignoring the
2
necessity of conviction of sin), the gospel of health, wealth and happiness (while God's desire is for
holiness), today's gospel of tolerance and affirmation of other faiths (Jesus is the only Savior), and
others.
Rom. 10:13-17
Preaching Christ
Paul is grieving for, praying for, and preaching to the Jews concerning their rejection of the
Messiah. The good news about Jesus is for both Jews and Greeks - whoever will call on the name of the
Lord. The gospel is the power of God for salvation. Rom. 1:16 In these verses Paul follows the process
for anyone to hear the gospel and call upon the name of the Lord:
How can they call on Him they have not believed?
Knowledge of Christ precedes repentance.
How will they believe Him whom they have not heard?
The gospel must be heard to bring belief.
How will they hear without a preacher?
They will hear because the word of God is preached.
How will they preach unless they are sent?
Preachers will be sent by God and supported by His people.
Preaching is a high calling from God: the solemn public, verbal, authoritative proclamation of
a message by one appointed for that task.
Though some are saved by the faith given by God from hearing the gospel, many have not heeded the
good news. As we began this study of Romans we spent weeks examining the first few chapters as Paul
wrote about the pervasive sinfulness of pagan man, moral man, religious man and natural man. Unless
God moves first to change our hearts (inner being), no one would accept the truth of Christ.
Jesus taught this principle in the parable of the sower, Matt. 13:3-23. While many seeds were
sown, the evil one took some away, affliction and persecution caused some who heard to fall away, and
the worry of the world and deceitfulness of riches choked out the gospel. The seed of the word of God
grew in the good soil which was prepared to receive and grow the seed.
Rom. 10:18-21
Hearing is Not Always Believing
In chapters 9 and 10, Paul has confronted the Jews about their rejection of the Messiah:
9:6-24
All whom God has elected to salvation are or will be saved.
9:25-29
God has revealed that not all Israel will be saved and some Gentiles would be.
9:30-10:21
The failure of the Jews to believe was their own fault, not God's.
In Rom. 10:18, Paul addresses their first excuse: We haven't heard!
Yet, David's psalm 19 declares that the evidence of creation has gone out into all the earth, to the
ends of the world. No one can claim ignorance. Rom. 1:20 Surely, Israel did know!
In v. 19, Paul addresses the second possible excuse: We didn't understand!
Moses had told them that they understood enough to be jealous and angry when God's gospel
was extended to Gentiles who were many nations and not just one as Israel. The Gentiles would believe
through the faith God would give them and, even though lacking understanding, they would seek it.
Isaiah prophesied that God would be found by those who did not seek Him (Gentiles), and He would
make Himself known to those who did not ask for Him. Rom. 3:14-16
God's continuing and persistent revelation to Israel resulted only in their rejection and
disobedience. They are a disobedient and obstinate people and are solely responsible for their unbelief.
Yet . . . . God has not rejected His people. Chapter 11.
Next week.
3