TRUE FAITH IS IN THE HEART

ROMANS 10:1–13

But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming

(Romans 10:8).

True faith is not something difficult to obtain. Paul’s opponents evidently objected to the simplicity of faith, and rejected his claim that the Gentiles (and believing Israel) could find salvation through faith alone. They were insisting that righteousness was by works, and they were misquoting Moses to make their point. So Paul quotes Moses back to them.

Faith Does Not Require Heroic Acts

In Romans 10:6–7, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 30:12–14 against the advocates of works-righteousness. He claims that Moses is an example of righteousness by faith: “But the righteousness that is by faith says: ‘do not say in your heart, “Who will ascend into heaven?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ down) ‘or “Who will descend into the deep?” ’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).”

We do not need to do mighty works, like ascending into heaven or descending into the grave, in order to be saved. Even if we could do such things, we could not bring the Messiah to earth by doing so. Paul may be referring to a tradition of the Pharisees that held that if any man ever kept all the law perfectly for one day, this man’s righteousness would be so impressive that it would induce God to send the Messiah. Nonsense, says Paul. Only God can send a savior. Only God can raise Him from the dead. Only God can save, and salvation comes from trusting Him and from that alone.

Verse 8 concludes Paul’s quotation from Moses. True faith is not a matter of heroic acts, but it is a matter of the heart, and any true faith will also be expressed by the mouth.

The Word of God is not obscure. It is not difficult to grasp. It is not hard to find. It does not demand great and fabulous acts on our part. God did not conceal this truth during the Old Testament, or today. Rather, the Word is near us, and what it requires is faith in God.

CORAM DEO

Part of our desire to “play God” and usurp His place is seen in that we want to do something important. We want to make some contribution to our own salvation. Paul reminds us here that this thinking is erroneous. Our salvation is in Christ alone, by faith alone. Pray with the hymnwriter, “Nothing in my hands I bring: simply to Thy cross I cling.”

For further study: Isaiah 55:1–13

wednesday

september