A One Size Fits All Gift

 By: Dr. Dale Weckbacher

 

Text: Romans 10:5-21

 

Romans 10:12-13

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.”

(ESV)

 

One of Satan’s most devious deceptions is placing people into categories which creates divisiveness in the culture. This divisiveness causes groups of individuals to become prideful, believing they are superior to other groups of individuals. Proverbs 16:18 reminds us that pride goes before a fall meaning that any group of individuals believing they are superior to others has a fall coming. Romans 10:5-21 reminds us that the message of Salvation from sins is for all and not limited to a select group of individuals. The message in this passage teaches us about,

 

1)      Confession (Romans 10:5-13) – The passage begins with a contrast of Moses writing about righteousness based on the law and one living by the commandments in the law versus righteousness based upon faith (Romans 10:5-7). This is another reference to the contrasting of righteousness based upon religion or one performing certain religious practices versus relationship or one entering into a restored relationship with God through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Saving faith is not based on works but a confession of Jesus as Lord based on one’s belief in Jesus’ resurrection from the dead (Romans 10:8-10). Belief in Jesus as Lord eliminates shame for Jesus came to save not condemn (John 3:16-17). This belief also eliminates any distinction of groups for all who believe are saved who call upon the name of the Lord (Romans 10:11-13).

2)      Commission (Romans 10:14-17) – Experiencing a restored relationship with God should cause one to have the desire to share their experience with others lacking a relationship with God in their lives. Paul poses a series of four questions to challenge his readers to share the Gospel message (Romans 10:14-15)

a.       How will people call on Jesus in whom they have not believed – Jesus taught that if He is lifted up, he will draw all people to him (John 12:32). Sadly, many Churches are either liberal or legalistic. Liberal teaching is a self-help message, designed to make one feel good but fails to lift up Jesus or speak of one’s need for a Savior. Legalism requiring adherence to a set of rules and regulations to gain a right standing with God. The Great Commission is about lifting up Jesus and pointing people to their need for a Savior and a relationship with God.

b.      How can people believe unless they hear the message of the Gospel – Again this is a call to the Church to focus on lifting up Jesus through teaching from the Bible.

c.       How are people to hear without someone preaching – Every believer in Christ as Savior has a calling to share the Gospel with others when the opportunity presents itself. This does not require one to have academic proficiency in theology but a relationship with God they can share.

d.      How are people to preach unless God sends them – Churches must also be a place where one discovers their God-given calling and equipped, empowered, and encouraged to step out and serve God in their calling.

The world under the divisive deception of Satan needs to hear the Word of God from Churches that lift up Jesus and His Word and why each of us must use our God-given gifts to find our calling and serve God. We must be participants and not spectators in the Great Commission (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20).

3)      Contradiction (Romans 10:18-21) – Satan has caused the Jews to be blinded to the truth that Jesus is the Messiah, using divisiveness between groups, Jews and Gentiles, to cause them to believe only they are God’s chosen ones. This is what the Bible means when it speaks of the veil over the minds of Israel when reading the old covenant that only Christ removes.

 

There is a contradiction in the Bible between salvation through the law and righteousness based upon faith. Moses wrote about salvation by the law, saying that all who live by the commandments shall live by them (Romans 10:5). Contrast that with salvation by grace which says that the Word of God is near and in one’s mouth and heart (Romans 10:8). Because of this, one is saved by a profession of faith with his or her mouth that Jesus is Lord and belief in one’s heart that God raised Jesus from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Since there is no distinction in this passage that one be Jewish or Gentile, the Gospel is available to all. This is why God tore the veil from top to bottom when Jesus said it is finished to make the most holy place available to all who believe (Matthew 27:51). The mission of the Church is to declare this message so others can have a relationship with God through a righteousness of faith because the sacrificial requirement of the law that was fulfilled with the death of Jesus on the cross (Hebrews 10:11-14).

 

As we see the world around us sliding further and further into ungodliness, the Church must return to its missional focus of spreading the Gospel (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20). People are hurting, economically, physically, and mentally, looking for answers. These people turn to their abilities or the government for help but are not finding answers. This is a harvest field that is ripe and ready for harvest, waiting for harvesters to go and tell others about Jesus (Matthew 9:37). If you are reading this post and have never made a profession of faith in Jesus as your savior, I invite you to do so now by praying with me,

 

Dear Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned (Romans 3:23) and know that the penalty for my sin is death (Romans 6:23).  I ask you to forgive me of my sin and cleanse me as you promise in your Word (1 John 1:9).  I believe you died, spent three days in the grave, and resurrected from the dead and now declare you Lord of my life.

 

I encourage everyone who has made a profession of faith, including those that just prayed to join in the mission of the Church (Mark 16:15; Matthew 28:19-20) and become a harvester by telling others what Jesus has done in your life. May God challenge and bless everyone reading this post.