Salvation Through Faith in Christ Alone (Romans 10)

In this passage of Scripture, Paul shows that the Jews did not have true faith in Christ for their sins. Instead, they trusted on their own righteousness rather than Christ’s. Paul shows us four reasons why faith in Christ is the only way.

1) Salvation through Christ requires belief (v.1-4)

a. Belief in the truth (v.1-2) – Paul desired that the Jews would be saved. He yearned in his heart for their salvation. Paul admitted that they had a belief in God but it was not according to the truth. They were misguided and this broke Paul’s heart. Likewise, today, there are people who think they are Christians but in reality, they lack the necessary requirement for salvation: belief in the truth.

b. Belief in God’s righteousness (v.3-4) – The Jews were ignorant of God’s righteousness, instead choosing to believe that their good deeds are good enough for salvation. Because of this they did not submit to God’s righteousness because Christ ended the ways of legalism. However, people today still put their trust in their ways and legalism abounds. However, salvation through Christ requires belief in God’s righteousness, not our own.

2) Salvation through Christ requires confession (v.5-13)

a. Confession of the mouth and heart (v.5-10) – Paul makes clear that true faith is manifested by stating that Jesus is Lord is not enough. One has to believe it in his heart. With the heart one is justified and with the mouth one is saved. What a startling statement. However, Paul makes it to make the point that confession only will not do because God knows our true hearts. Therefore, by stating that Jesus is Lord and believing in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead one finds salvation through Christ. Salvation through Christ requires confession of both the mouth and the heart.

b. Confession of the Lord’s name (v.11-13) – Everyone who believes in Christ will not be put to shame. However, to not believe in Christ is to be shamed. The evidence is there. The chance to accept Christ is there. However, to reject it after opportunities is shameful. The gospel is inclusive. The Lord is the Lord of all and makes no distinction between Jew or Gentile. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. Salvation through Christ requires confession of the Lord’s name.

3) Salvation through Christ requires hearing (v.14-17) – Paul then starts to ask a series of questions. How are they to call on him in whom they have not believed? In order to call on Christ one has to believe, of course. Paul then asks, “and how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” Obviously, in order to believe in Christ, one has to hear Him first. Paul then asks, “and how are they to hear without someone preaching? People, in this case the Jews, will not hear unless someone preaches Christ to them. It is our job as believers to do this. And finally, Paul asks, “and how are they to preach unless they are sent?” In order to preach to lost people, believers must be sent. Sent by whom? By God and by the church. Then Paul makes clear that the Jews will not all obey the gospel. This is true about everyone. The prophet Isaiah even stated this and he was sent to speak to the Jews. So faith comes from hearing, and one has to hear the Word of Christ spoken to them. Salvation through Christ requires hearing His Word preached.

4) Salvation through Christ requires acceptance (v.18-21) - Paul asks have they Jews not heard? He then quotes Scripture that indeed they have heard. He then states that Moses warned them and they did understand what would happen if they did not accept the truth. That is, God would them jealous. Paul then quotes Isaiah again and points out that Israel has rejected the truth and has been disobedient in doing so. The point of this entire passage is that salvation through Christ requires confession and belief in Christ and hearing His Word preached and accepting it.