In Rom 10:2-12. “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 But righteousness is from faith; consequently Moses said: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?'” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?'” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”
Paul tells us that Israel is zealous for Yehovah, but their zeal is not based on knowledge because they have rejected the Torah. When they rejected the Torah, they rejected the only way to be righteous because Paul says in Rom 2:13, the one who obeys the Torah is righteous. They rejected the Torah in favor of their laws and traditions, and by doing so, desired to establish their righteousness. But when they did this, they also rejected Christ.
You might not be Jewish or an Israelite, but have you committed the same sin?
Most Christians will have to answer yes because they have rejected the Torah in favor of their traditions and laws. As Paul says in verse 4, Christ is the culmination of all traditions so there may be righteousness to all who believe. This is where most Christians get confused and reject the Torah by mistake.
Paul says in verse 5, those who obey the Torah are righteous because of their obedience. And because they are righteous, they will live. In verse 6, Paul quotes Moses saying this type of righteousness is from faith. And then proves his point from verses 6-8 by saying the Torah Moses spoke about is Jesus.
In verses 9-10, Paul says anyone who has faith in what Jesus preached and shows their faith will be saved. Jesus told us to obey the Torah, so Paul says here is the same thing as Moses told us; obey the Torah.
Paul then says in verse 11 anyone who obeys the Torah and remains faithful to the Torah will be saved in the end. When Paul speaks of salvation, he is not referring only to eternal life. Instead, he refers to completeness and wholeness, salvation in every area of our lives while we are living, AND eternal life when we die.
Paul ends by saying this has always been available for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike.
The first question that gives itself is this; why does Paul never mention the cross of Christ?
In the previous chapters of Romans, Paul mentions the cross and its importance. But we never see Paul emphasizing the cross in Romans; his emphasis is on the resurrection. Why is the resurrection more important to Paul? Because the resurrection confirms Jesus as the King of Israel. This does not negate the cross, but according to Paul, the resurrection and the cross are two separate but equally important things.
In the previous chapters of Romans, Paul says, we first have to repent and become righteous before we can atone for our past sins. So you repent because He is alive today, and you atone because He died in that order.
Make sure you have repented and atoned for your sins in that order. Make sure you are righteous by faith, shown in your obedience to the Torah (the written law of Moses). Then, and only then, can you claim to be saved. Then and only then can you claim salvation for eternal life and salvation for every area of your life.
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