Romans - Part 12

Believe and Confess

The Audio Version of today’s note is advised.

The House of Bread · Voice Note for 20241111 - Romans - Part 12 - Believe and Confess

Romans 10:1-21 KJV

[1] Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved. [2] For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. [3] For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. [4] For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. [5] For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. [6] But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) [7] or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) [8] But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; [9] that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. [10] For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. [11] For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. [12] For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. [13] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. [14] How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? [15] And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! [16] But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? [17] So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. [18] But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, Their sound went into all the earth, And their words unto the ends of the world. [19] But I say, Did not Israel know? First Moses saith, I will provoke you to jealousy by them that are no people, And by a foolish nation I will anger you. [20] But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me. [21] But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.

https://bible.com/bible/1/rom.10.1-21.KJV

Note for 20241111

Yesterday, we learned about the problem we have on earth, even how The Lord Jesus Christ is the Solution to that problem. Today we learn from Paul how our faith in Jesus Christ is applied. We believe with our heart unto righteousness, and with our mouth we confess unto salvation; that Jesus Christ is the Son of GOD and that God has risen Him from the grave. That is the confession to be made. That is what the heart must believe. Who is then sent to proclaim the gospel? How shall the people make a choice, less they are given a choice? How will they know about Christ unless they are told?

Now, Paul goes into some detail about his fellow Jews. And as we have seen yesterday too, that the problem of faith is about the seed in the heart of man. That which has taken root in the heart of man, is a ministry of another lord, even of the prince of this world. The root of that comes from the enemy of GOD. But, if we can believe the Truth of GOD, even that Christ died for our sin and has condemned sin in the flesh; then we believe that the price is paid for the sin of mankind. If we believe that GOD raised Christ from the dead, we will be resurrected from death unto eternal life in Jesus Christ. Seeing that Christ is the first fruit of the resurrection, who showed us the Way unto eternal life by the Salvation God has made available to us in Christ. With our hearts we believe and with our mouths we confess the Salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of GOD. Are we not called to be the sons of GOD too?

Still there remains here in this world a spirit of unbelief, that resembles the problem here on earth. Just like the Jews who heard and refused the Son of GOD, this world has heard and refused Him too. In that too, the Jew and the Gentile are the same; even in their unbelief. The seed that grows in unbelief, is of the one who stands in rebellion to the throne of GOD. So have they become his children and will have their inheritance with him in the lake of fire. They are unrepentant, refusing to believe in the Salvation of the Lord, rejecting their Saviour, they embrace sin and death. Hearing, they did not believe in their heart to righteousness, neither did they confess with their mouth unto Salvation.

Paul sees this in his fellow Jews, and proclaims with his mouth his heart's desire that his prayer to God is that Israel might be saved. So, indeed it is love that brings the Gospel of Jesus Christ to others, for we preach in love that mankind might be saved. Preaching with the Hope that they will hear and believe in their hearts. In this love, if we share this love; we are united by love in Christ, both Jew and Gentile. It is this belief that steers us to righteousness, and with our mouth we testify and confess the Salvation that is available to all who hears it and believes.

Friends, think now on John 14 again, where Christ shared the solution to the problem in the world with his beloved disciples. There is a solution, there is Salvation available to all who will believe in Jesus Christ. How will mankind hear, less we obey the instruction to preach the Gospel of Salvation in Jesus Christ to them? How will they hear, if we do not confess and testify of Jesus Christ? What does it say about us, if we sit down and do nothing to save the lost? Is the love of Christ in us then? Are we then part of the problem or have we become part of the solution? You cannot serve two masters... Do you remember that from the series on the parables of Christ?

Just as GOD did not give up on us, so must we endure all in service of the Salvation of mankind. If Christ is refused, then it is they that rejected the Truth in the hearing of it. Then it is not us, who did not share Jesus Christ with them in love. We bring the Word of GOD to man, if GOD is in them, they will receive it. He that has an ear to hear will hear, but the deaf ear will hear nothing. But how can one hear, if nothing is spoken? Then, even he that has an ear to hear is robbed in hearing, for those who knew kept it secret. With our mouths we confess unto Salvation, what does our silence bring? In our silence then, we have become less than a stone that lay upon the ground, which can still be used to grind the wheat. With our hearts we believe unto righteousness, but with our mouth we confess unto Salvation.

Now, in closing today, we consider both the problem and the solution we have learned here in the past two days. Look at the state of the world around you. Can you see this problem of unbelief? Can you see the problem of rebellion against the Lord our GOD? Do they stand in rebellion because of their refusal, or because of the silence of the church? Have they heard the Truth, or have soothsayers been giving them a message that tickles their ears? In our hearts we must find compassion for the lost, even love our enemies, just as Christ instructed us. Our silence is as good as a death sentence. We have the Word of GOD, we should share it with all who will hear us. Does not our whole body stand in service of Christ Jesus our Lord, even our mouth and ear? Go then... Confess your love of Christ to all who will hear you.

Shalom

The House of Bread

Verse of The Day

From the YouVersion Bible App (Extended from verse 10)

2 Corinthians 12:7-10 KJV

[7] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. [8] For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. [9] And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ's sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.

https://bible.com/bible/1/2co.12.7-10.KJV

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