The key to relationship with God is righteousness that is obtained by faith. Gentiles obtain through faith a righteousness they had never pursued - Israel as a people, stumbled, but by no fault of God, because they pursued righteousness as if it could be obtained by works rather than by faith (Romans 9:31-33 ). "They stumbled at that stumbling stone" (Romans 9:32-33 ). God is consistent and merciful and good - He made, in total fairness, righteousness through faith available to all mankind. God has not rejected His covenant people - they have rejected Him (Romans 10:1-21 ).

Romans 10:1 "Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved."

Paul loved his nation, wherever he went he first presented the good news to Jews. He was not deterred by fierce opposition and persecution - he longed and worked for their salvation. We should deny no one our witness to Christ, least of all our own people.

Israel tried to substitute law - or works righteousness for faith righteousness (Romans 10:2-4 ). It was with zealous, religious fervour that they pursued righteousness by works.

Romans 10:2 "For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge."

It is cause for sadness when zeal is so misdirected that God's purpose is missed - and so tragic when zeal not according to God's revealed word leaves the zealously wrong outside God's salvation.

Romans 10:4 "For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes."

"Christ provides righteousness based on God's grace in response to faith (Romans 3:20; Acts 13:39 )". Ryrie

Romans 10:6,7 "... 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, 'Who will descend into the abyss?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)."

Because of God's action of mercy and grace in Christ, the good news of salvation is "near" (Romans 10:8 ) and ready for a man to speak out of his heart the word of saving faith.

Romans 10:9 "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."

Heart faith must be mouth confessed (Romans 10:10 ). Inward conviction must find outward expression. Such confession of life and lip will never be ineffective or misplaced. There will be unshakeable confidence in His saving power (Romans 10:11 ).

Romans 10:12 "For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him."

The riches of the Lord include: The riches inherent in Himself - the riches of His revelation - redemption - renewal - and resurrection. The act of appropriation is stressed as calling upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:12 ). To such, the riches are assured. (Romans 10:13 )

Romans 10:14,15 "... And how shall they hear without a preacher? ... And how shall they preach unless they are sent? ..."

Calling upon the Lord is impossible to one who has not believed on the Lord; believing is not possible to one who has not heard the message about the Lord; and hearing is not possible unless someone comes preaching the message; the preaching is not possible unless the messenger is sent by the Lord. God calls the feet of His sent ones beautiful who carry the glad tidings (Romans 10:15 ). Paul is saddened greatly by Israel's refusing the glad tidings (Romans 10:16 ).

Romans 10:17 "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the (spoken) word of God."

Behind the spoken (rhema) word is the accompanied mighty voice of Christ making alive those who are dead in trespasses and sins (Ephesians 2:1; John 5:25 ). Christ places in us His mighty word of reconciliation, so that God is entreating by us, and on Christ's behalf we are imploring men to be reconciled to God. (2 Corinthians 5:18-20 ).

God uses His sent people so that faith may come to others by hearing. Even an angel commanded Cornelius to send for Peter,

Acts 11:14 "who will tell you words by which you and all your household will be saved."

(1 Corinthians 1:21 ). Faith comes through the willing ear.

"But I say, have they not heard? Yes, indeed:" (Romans 10:18; Psalm 19:4; Romans 1:8 ). God had, centuries before Paul, made known to Israel through Moses and Isaiah that He would reach out to the Gentiles with the gospel, and that Israel as a nation would refuse His outstretched hands, and be disobedient (Romans 10:19-21; Deuteronomy 32:21; Isaiah 65:1-2 ). "All day long" (Romans 10:21 ). Our merciful God continues to offer salvation to the lost - His invitation is still open to all.

---

QUESTIONS FOR GROUP INTERACTION

1. At what stumbling stone did Israel stumble, and are there people stumbling over the same stone today (Romans 9:32-33 )?

2. Are you burdened for those who are zealous for God, but for lack of knowledge of the truth are misdirected from God's purpose (Romans 10:2-4 )?

3. Do you believe that heart faith must be mouth confessed (Romans 10:9-13 )?

4. Did saving faith come to you through the spoken Word of God (Romans 10:14- 17 )? Are there ongoing effects in your life by continued hearing of the spoken Word of God?