I delivered this message at Calvary Baptist Church in Findlay, Ohio, in 2004.
Romans 9:30–10:13
30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 10:1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. 5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “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 which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
Introduction: It is interesting to note when you look at all the religions in the world, nearly every one of them tells people that the way to being in a right relationship with God is through being righteous. If you want to be saved and have the hope of heaven, you need to be righteous. To this all religions agree. But how one seeks to be righteous and accepted before God makes all the difference.
What is the passage about?
Righteousness 11x (30 [3], 31, 3 [2], 4, 5[2], 6, 10)
Faith 9x (30, 32, 33, 4, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11)
Salvation 4x (1, 9, 10, 13)
Proposition: From these three key words, I think we can come to the conclusion that a person becomes righteous by faith, and that righteousness equals salvation.
A couple of important questions:
What is righteousness? Meeting a standard; fulfillment of what is required.
Deuteronomy 25:15 “You shall have a full and just [וָצֶדֶק] weight; you shall have a full and just measure, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.”
What is faith? Believing, trusting, placing one’s confidence in something.
What is it that we must believe? That is what the passages will unfold for us.
Righteousness does not come by working for it (30–33).
30 What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. 32 Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone, 33 just as it is written, “BEHOLD, I LAY IN ZION A STONE OF STUMBLING AND A ROCK OF OFFENSE, AND HE WHO BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.”
This could not be any more clear, yet nearly every religion in the world teaches it.
The Gentiles did not seek it but found it (30).
The Jews sought it but did not find it (31).
Why?
They sought it by works (32)
They rejected their Messiah (33)
Righteousness comes from God (1–4).
1 Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation. 2 For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. 3 For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.
Zeal without knowledge is deadly (2).
You must know the truth!
Righteousness is something you submit to (3).
Christ, our substitute, has earned righteousness (4).
Righteousness comes through faith (5–13).
5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness. 6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: “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 which we are preaching, 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for “WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED.”
Righteousness can come by works if they are perfect (5).
Righteousness by faith (6–8)
Does not seek God’s favor by works (6–7)
Submits to what God has done in Christ (8)
The gospel is in a sense very simple.
Men want something to do for their salvation (e.g., Naman).
What is that faith? (9–10)
Jesus is Lord.
God raised Jesus (for our justification) 4:25
Belief -> righteousness
Confession -> salvation
It is for anyone (11–13).
Application: What can we draw from this today?
Being religious is not enough if it is not based on right doctrine. It is essential that we study God’s Word and know what is right. There are many zealous people who don’t know God.
The righteousness that God accepts is the righteousness that He provides through His Son. We must never strive to earn God’s acceptance and favor by our performance. We don’t get more of God’s acceptance by reading our Bibles more, though be certainly should read our Bibles often. We have all of God’s favor because we have submitted to His righteousness that He has provided through His Son.
A caution: This is not to say that concern for righteous living is wrong. Concern for righteous living is vital. We must be pursuing to live righteous lives. The issue is why? The Roman Catholic church along with all the other false religions teach that we must live righteously so that we can earn God’s favor and acceptance. The Bible teaching is that we must live righteously out of love and gratitude to God because we have already freely received God’s favor and acceptance through the substitutionary work of His Son.
Why has God designed that righteous be by faith?
Works magnifies oneself, while faith magnifies the work of another.
Romans 4:16 For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace.
Ephesians 2:8–9 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
1 Corinthians 1:29–31 29 so that no man may boast before God. 30 But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption, 31 so that, just as it is written, “LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD.”
Conclusion: Righteousness is not attained by works. It is a gift from God, received by faith alone in what Christ alone has done. Today you are on one of two roads: pursuing righteousness by yours works or submitting to the righteousness of Christ by faith. I beg you this morning, set aside all self-effort and submit by faith to what God has done in Christ. You will count you as perfectly righteous and receive you!