Salvation - Don't Make it Hard
Romans 9:30-10:4
As we work our way through verse by verse of this incredible epistle from the apostle Paul, we come to the end of chapter 9 and the beginning of chapter 10 - the topic of which is salvation. In coming up with titles for messages, they usually come pretty easy. This was one that didn't come easy. I was trying to come up with something catchy, memorable - but I kept coming back to the simple statement that salvation is really not hard to understand - yet we make it so difficult!
On the heels of Paul's discussion on election and free will, and even my best shot at describing what Paul had to say regarding the sovereignty of God; he comes to this point where he brings his readers back to the most important point - just what it means to be saved.
Friend, I understand that we could talk about so many different issues week in and week out. And they are important. We could talk about relationships, money, marriage, parenting, work habits, friends, family, dealing with stress, planning for the future - and so forth. But until this most important issue of salvation is addressed, understood and personally applied - none of those other things even begin to matter.
Let's see what Paul has to say,
Romans 9:30-33
9:30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even the righteousness of faith;
9:31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of righteousness.
9:32 Why? Because [they did] not [seek it] by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumbling stone.
9:33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense, And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame."
I want you to first see,
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The way of salvation vv 30-33
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After some deep and perplexing discussion, Paul desires that his readers understand the only way of salvation. And he discusses this in an interesting way. He brings up Jews and Gentiles (read vv 30b-31). Paul states that the Gentiles (that's you and me), the heathens were not even pursuing righteousness, yet they have attained to righteousness. The Jews who have been pursuing righteousness even from the time that they were given the Law, have not attained to righteousness. The word, pursue, literally means to do something with intense effort and with definite purpose or goal;1 to seek after eagerly, earnestly endeavor to acquire.2 That's a strong word isn't it? Can you imagine a Jew growing up and being taught day in and day out to pursue righteousness - and then going about the whole day to get it? But come the end of the day, they didn't have it; worse yet, most would come to the end of life and never attained righteousness.
And then the paradox comes in that the Gentiles got up, lived never seeking righteousness, yet they found it! "That's not a paradox, preacher - that's just cruel." No, it's not. You've got to understand something about righteousness that the devout Jew never understood - none are righteous, nor can any person ever be righteous on his/her own.
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How is it that one becomes righteous? That's a great question and it's one that Paul answers for us. The Jews had convinced themselves that righteousness was obtained by working for it. If they went to the temple, gave enough sacrifices, recited the Shema enough, sought to not only fulfill the Law but also the extra laws that they had set up around the Law - surely that would make them righteous. But again, the Old Testament, which was the book for the Jew, stated over and over that there is none that is righteous, no, not one.
On top of that, even their father, Abraham, was not righteous because of what he had done. Rather, Genesis 15:6 says that Abraham believed (in the Lord), and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. What does that mean? It meant that Abraham was saved by faith, not by righteous deeds. Was Abraham righteous? Absolutely - because God placed that righteousness into him, not because he earned it. Notice what Paul says in verse 32. Why did the Jews not attain righteousness (salvation)? Because they did not seek salvation by faith!
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The way of salvation is simple - by faith alone. This begs two questions:
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What is faith? I want you to understand that every person has faith. But faith is only as good as what you have faith in. The Jews said very clearly that they believed in God, but their faith was not in God. Their faith - their trust in what was going to get them to heaven - was in their righteous deeds. Do you know what that is like? It's like a drunk being the poster child for a campaign against drinking. Can I remind you again of the Scripture that states that there is none righteous, no, not one? We can be very much like the Jews and say whatever we want, but faith always comes with actions, with proof of where we have put our trust.
Faith is a simple AND complete TRUST in something or someone. What made it easy for the Gentiles to realize that their faith had to be in Christ alone was that they realized they were unrighteous! They looked at their lives and could see all kinds of unrighteousness. On top of that, the Jews were telling them that they were unrighteous! In my New Testament reading this week, I saw over and over where Jesus was hanging out more with the "sinners" as the religious elite called them. Why? They knew they needed a Savior and were willing to trust in Jesus!
But the problem for the Jews is that they had convinced themselves that they were right! They were so convinced that God had already called them His own, and they had it made. But they were so wrong. Do you know who are the hardest people to reach? It's not the out and out sinner. It's not even those that are vehemently opposed to the Christian faith. The most difficult person to reach is a religious person - a church member, who has already convinced himself/herself that they are good enough to be saved.
You can fool me with good actions and even with the right answers to the questions that I may ask. But I want you to know that you cannot and will not fool God. And I'll tell you now that I'm convinced church member and religious person that He is showing you that you are banking your eternity on what you have done for God rather than what only He can do for you and in you. And if you do not respond in faith to the simple invitation to be saved, you'll spend eternity in hell. The way of salvation is simple - by faith alone. But there's a second question. If we are saved by faith then,
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What good are works? Why desire to do the "do's" and stay away from the "don'ts"? The proper understanding of salvation changes everything. Please understand this. Many times those that believe good works (baptism, church attendance, helping others, keeping the 10 Commandments, etc.) will get them to heaven, their motivation is completely different. There is a "have to" attitude rather than a "want to" attitude. "What do you mean?" When you realize that you are saved by grace through faith; that is, you realize that the only way that you can get to heaven is through the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, the natural reaction of a saved soul is a desire to live for the One that died for Him. Like what?
Baptism. Baptism comes after repentance in Scripture. When the Scripture calls for us to follow through in believer's baptism, we'll do it out of a desire to obey and honor the One that died for us. Not only attending but getting involved in the ministry of a local church. Absolutely we'll do it because of the One that died for us. Parents, it's like this. How much more thrilled we are when our children do something because they desire to honor us than because they feel they have to! Such is the case with life after salvation!
The way of salvation is very clear - by faith. It's trusting, not in what I did for God, but in what He did for me. It's not my works that save me, but His work on the cross that saves me. And when a person comes to saving faith in Christ, then there will be the natural desire in that born again person's life to do those things that will honor and please the One that saved us. The Jews stumbled over Jesus because of His gracious gift of salvation. Don't you stumble over Him.
But also notice,
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The wish for salvation Prayer v 1
Romans 10:1-4
10:1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
10:2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God.
10:4 For Christ [is] the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
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The heart of Paul, as well as the true condition of the Jews is clearly stated v1. Notice this.
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Paul's heart. He's speaking to the believers in Rome (that's why he calls them brethren), and he shares his heart's desire - for his fellow Jews to be saved. It was at the beginning of chapter 9 where Paul stated this same desire with these passionate words (Romans 9:1-4a), "I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh, who are Israelites." Please understand that Paul's heart when it came to concern for the salvation of the Jews, was one that was deeply impacted by what Christ had already done in him. Can't you just see this man once again welling up with tears in his eyes as he writes these words expressing his desire to see the Jews saved?
The men that meet on Thursday mornings have just finished a book entitled, "Battling the Prince of Darkness." And by the way, we are starting a new book this Thursday morning, and I invite every man that can possibly come at 6 to be here. We're finished by 6:45. But this very issue of concern was addressed and the challenge given on just how concerned we are about the lost around us. Can I ask again when the last time was that your heart was stirred with deep concern over a lost friend or a loved one that needed a relationship with Christ? When was the last time that you stayed up at night, not thinking about how you can get everything done on your list tomorrow, but rather simply praying and wishing and longing for those dear souls to be saved? That was Paul's heart. But also notice,
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The Jews' heart - they were lost and needed to be saved. "That's just not right in this tolerant and universalist society that we live in preacher. How dare you say that someone needs to be saved. They may believe something different, and if they are sincere in that belief then it's none of your business." I understand that it may not be very popular or politically correct to say what I said, but just remember this sweet friend; society is not the one that dictates eternity. Eternity and how one gets to enjoy eternity in heaven or experiences unspeakable anguish in hell has already been determined - and it's not in tolerance but in total surrender to Christ. And God help the church of the Lord Jesus Christ to never move away from the simple gospel and the sure claim that there is only one way to heaven - by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone.
Although Israel was extremely religious, they were lost. In fact, their religion was God-given! But they chose to hold to their beliefs rather than Christ. They were lost. But Paul shares that the Jews are still savable. I know that I'm talking to some believers that have a lost spouse, a lost child, a lost parent, lost coworkers, lost neighbors - they're still savable. Please don't give up on them. Please don't say no for them when there may be an opportunity to share the gospel. Here Paul, even with the fellow Jews that sought to kill him, still states that his prayer for them is that they be saved. And I want to say to some that would say that they are too bad for God to save them. Friend, you're flat wrong. John the Baptist said of Jesus, "Behold the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world!" That includes your sin as well.
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Church Family, I want to remind you that "the ground at the foot of the cross is all level. Whoever you are, your social position, your church membership, your good works, or the color of your skin will not help you. Without Christ you are a hell-doomed sinner. God is just and righteous when He says that to you. Perhaps you say, "I don't like what that preacher said." Well, it is actually what God said, my friend. God is putting it in neon lights here. He doesn't want you to miss it."3
And I'll say it as well that my wish for every lost person in this room is for you to be saved. I want to ask you, religious but lost person; are you tired of trying and getting nowhere spiritually - and are you ready to place your trust in what only Jesus could do for you? And that leads to the third point,
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The Who of Salvation vv 2-4
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It's a "Who" and not a "wow". Notice what Paul says about the Jews - they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. Now, again, it may be very tempting to be critical of Paul as he was critical of the Jews. But you've got to remember something - he was a Jew! He knew exactly what he was talking about. He said to the Philippian church that he had such a zeal for God before he was saved that he even persecuted the church - what he thought was a threat to the Jewish way of life. On top of that, the Jews had expressed their zeal for God by "improving upon the Law and adding their own traditions - making them equal to the Law."
Zeal is not uncommon today. People are zealous for all kinds of things. Many are zealous for money. Many are zealous for a position. There are many Muslims all over the world that are zealous for their religion. But there's a problem with these that I've mentioned - there is a zeal, but it's not according to knowledge. Money is not the answer - because one can never have enough. In fact, the apostle Paul admonished Timothy, "godliness with contentment - that is great gain." Position - what position matters if you are outside of Christ? In eternity, position doesn't matter. In this life, nothing else makes sense until you are positioned in Christ. Muslims - their zeal is based off of a lie of a man that was a pedophile. What zeal they have, and hatred, yet it's not according to the clear declaration of Scripture. Getting to the text, even being knowledgeable of the true God, the Jews were ignorant of the righteousness of God, thinking they could muster up their own righteousness.
Let me put it to you like this - I am no better than you are, nor are you better than me. And when it comes to what matters most - a personal relationship with Christ - you and I can enjoy that relationship in the same way - through Christ.
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The "Who" is Christ v 4. Paul simply states, "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for everyone who believes." "The word translated "end" stands in the emphatic first position in the Greek sentence. It means that Christ is the designed end (termination) or Purpose-Goal of the Law, the Object to which the Law pointed."4 Jesus said in effect, "I didn't come to patch up an old garment; I came to give you a new garment-the robe of My righteousness." The Mosaic Law was given to lead men to Christ; it wasn't given to save men. Paul said to the Galatian believers that "… the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24). The Law was not given to save us, but to show us that we needed to be saved. It takes us by the hand, brings us to the cross of Christ, and says, "Dear one, you need a Savior." The Law came to an end in Christ."5
Paul would say to the Philippian church that when he finally came face to face with his own sinfulness and the realization that he could never and can never save himself - that's when he knew he needed a Savior. That's when, as he said, all of the things that the world and the religious deemed very important (assets) were counted as rubbish (liabilities) so that he may have Christ. Friend, Jesus will have no competition or share His position in your life. Is there a competition in your life for that number one position?
I did some imagining this week. I imagined myself sitting with Oprah on national television, or sitting across from the imposing Larry King, and either of them asking me point blank, "So, preacher boy, do you really think that Jesus is the only way to heaven; do you think your way is the right way? What about all of the people that believe otherwise? Are you going to say on national television that they are going to hell? Could there be a possibility that you are wrong?"
Before I answer the question, I want us to do some very basic review of the Scripture. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 says, "Christ died for our sins, according to the Scriptures; was buried and rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures." I believe that with all I've got. Let's think about this. Jesus died for our sins. So, if there is another way, or others ways to be saved, wouldn't you have to say that dying for someone else really is a bit overboard? And if the Scriptures prophesied that One would die for the sins of the whole world, then why don't these same Scriptures tell us that there would be other ways of salvation, or other "paths" to God?
You know, I would just have to think God a pretty sorry God if He gave His only Son just to be another way to God rather than the only way - that is, IF there are multiple ways. But knowledge of the Scriptures tells us that God would give His one and only Son to die for the sins of the whole world. And just to prove that Jesus is who He says He is, and to show that He is truly Lord over everything, He resurrected from the dead three days later.
A lost world wants a sorry God because that means that He really isn't worth following. But they don't want a holy and righteous God because that means they can never measure up. So, "Oprah, Mr. King - anybody - as much as it may seem offensive to those that are listening - my answer to your question if Jesus is really the only way is a clear and simple YES. It's not a matter of whether or not I'm wrong - I just know that Jesus is right. It was Him that said with His lips, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no man comes to the Father, but by Me." And He sealed those words with His life.
"Well, preacher boy, that answer really doesn't make me feel good about myself - I'm a sinner on the way to hell." I can understand that. But let me tell you what makes me feel great - understanding that there was One that was still willing to die in my place (a sinner very deserving of hell) and to pay the penalty for my sin when I most certainly did not deserve it. And He offers this gift of salvation to whosoever will. I am a "whosoever will."
Sir, you want to know why Christ is the center of our songs, our Sunday School, the message? He's the Savior; I'm not. He's the One that conquered death, hell and the grave - not me. You want to know why we go soul-winning on Monday nights and challenge every person in this room to be a soul winner where God has placed you? Because it's not about a program that can save you, but a Person. It's not some training that can save you, but a transformation of the soul that comes by the shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ alone.
So, I want to ask again of each of you in this room - are you trusting in Christ alone for your salvation? Is there any evidence in your life that would convict you of being a Christian?