The Word of Faith
Scripture Reading: Romans 10:1–13 (ESV)
1 Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For, being ignorant of the righteousness of God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.
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)
7 “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).
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);
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.
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”
12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Paul’s heart for his fellow Israelites is clear—he longs for their salvation. Their zeal for God is real, but it is misdirected because it is not grounded in the truth of God’s righteousness through Christ. Instead of submitting to God’s way, they tried to establish their own.
The message of salvation is both profound and simple: confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, and you will be saved. This salvation is for everyone, regardless of background, who calls on the name of the Lord.
As we pray today, we are reminded that the gospel is not complicated. It is near. It is clear. And it is powerful to save all who believe.
Prayer Points:
Pray for those with zeal for God to come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.
Thank God for making salvation available to all who believe.
Ask Him to give you boldness to share the word of faith with others.