Romans 10:1-10 Our Hearts Desire

Hi, glad you came back. It’s hard to believe that January is almost over. In a couple of days we’ll be jumping right into February.

We’ve heard it said time and again that the older we get the faster time seems to go. That should instill a sense of urgency for us to reach the lost. It should grieve us to know that someone may be spending an eternity in hell. As a Christian if you just sit back like a benchwarmer and never get in the game, you’re going to miss out on being someone God can use for His glory. You’re going to miss out on the joy of seeing a life changed for the better. So as always I urge you to go out and fulfill the Great commission.

In our previous study of Romans Paul was using Israel’s past to make his case for Christ. As we get into chapter 10 Paul is going to be speaking to them in the present tense. 

Romans 10:1 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.

Paul is speaking to his Christian Brothers about Israel.

He wants Israel to have what he has, salvation. Do we desire the same for our friends and family? Is it our hearts desire that our loved ones would come to know Christ? It should be. 

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

Paul is saying that the Israelites have a real zeal for keeping the rituals and ceremonies, but the things they do they do without the knowledge of Christ.

Paul can really relate to their zeal.

If we look at Galatians we can see that Paul had a fervor for Judaism.

Galatians 1:14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers.

There are many Christians today that cling to the traditions and the ceremonies of their families.

Like taking communion, celebrating Easter, Christmas, Lent, Palm Sunday, and all the other things that good Christians do. We can observe all the holidays and rituals and celebrations but without Christ at the center of it all, those things have no significance. They are just a day to eat, drink and be merry. They give us a false sense of security.

Romans 10:3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.

God calls us to a higher standard.

Our own self-righteousness cannot put us in right standing with God. The Jews were ignorant of God’s righteousness and set their own standards for what is moral and good.

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

Let’s put the law in its rightful place.

The law makes us aware of our sins and convicts us of those sins. No one can keep the law in its entirety. For we have all sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23. Righteousness cannot be attained through the law. It is only in coming to Christ that we can have righteousness and a right standing with the Father. The law has its rightful place and Christ came that the law may be fulfilled.

Matthew 5:17 Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.

Always remember that when you share the gospel with someone you need to share the moral law with them first.

It is only through their awareness of their sinful nature that they can be convicted and repent and come to Christ. Again the law has its purpose and place.

Romans 10:5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.

Paul is referring to a teaching from Moses, found in Leviticus 18:1–5.

This scripture describes a path to righteousness by keeping the law and living by the commandments of the law. This provided a way for the Jews to honor God and receive His earthly blessings. 

This is all well and good, but this lesson also demonstrates that it’s impossible to be sin free and obtain salvation based solely on the law.

The law is a road map that leads to Christ.

Galatians 3:24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

We’ve been speaking about righteousness based on the law.

Now, in the next verse Paul speaks about righteousness based on faith.

Romans 10:6 But the righteousness based on faith says, Do not say in your heart, Who will ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down)

Paul is speaking hypothetically of someone actually going to heaven to see the Lord for themselves.

When in actuality Christ had already walked among them. He had already come down. So why attempt to bring Him back down again? Many had seen Jesus and could not or would not accept Him. So, would seeing Him a second time change what had already been revealed to them?

Romans 10:7 or Who will descend into the abyss? (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).

Christ died on that cross to pay the penalty once and for all for the sin of the world.

They need not look to the grave or to the heavens for the Messiah. The Jews had seen Jesus when he walked with them and they had seen him crucified and some witnesses saw the risen Christ. What further proof did they need for their faith?

Romans 10:8 But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

Paul is letting the Jews know that they don’t need to look to heaven or to the grave for Jesus.

He has already walked among them. He’s already been near them. They don’t have to wait any longer, they can believe by faith and be declared righteous by God. They can be forgiven of their sins by the work that Christ did on the cross. So with this next verse it tidies up everything. It makes plain what Paul has been preaching all along.

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

The first part of this verse tends to get overlooked by many professing Christians.

They want a Savior but they’re not ready to surrender their lives and make Jesus Lord.They don’t want to bow down before Him, they would rather go their own way. I believe it would be safe to say that those who don’t put Jesus first will never have a totally repentant heart. Without regret for their actions there can be no repentance and no salvation. Many would choose to disagree with me. But scripture says otherwise.

2 Corinthians 7:10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.

The second part of Romans 10:9 says if you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

Many believe that Christ rose from the grave.

They want to believe because they want the same for themselves. But again if you’re not willing to make him Lord and Savior then you are missing out on God’s plan for your life.

Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Paul is just reiterating what he said in the previous verse.

But he makes it readily apparent that if you believe in your heart you will be declared righteous and if you confess with your mouth what your heart already believes then you will be saved. But remember he has to be Lord of your life, anything less falls short of the glory of God.

Just as Paul stated in verse 1 of this chapter it is my heart’s desire and prayer that you too may come to this saving Grace.

We’ve covered a lot in today’s lesson. So I think we’ll just stop for now. As always I’d like to thank you for listening and may you have a week full of opportunities to share this good news with those that need to hear it.