Romans 10:1

Romans 10:1 says, Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.  Though the Jews were doing their best to destroy Paul, or at least discredit him, he was still praying for their salvation.  This should be the example we follow today.  The scriptures, or the Bible as we would say, tells us to reach out in the love of God to those who hate us.  Paul was living by this command. We do not find him praying for the destruction of those trying to kill him, but for their salvation.  Verse two adds, For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.  I believe Paul was acknowledging their strong commitment to what they thought was the will of God.  It is good to be zealous in our beliefs, but only if our beliefs are based on God's truth.  Verse three continues, 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.  Paul said that the Jews, God's chosen people, were ignorant of His righteousness.  Because of this ignorance, they were attempting to establish their own righteousness.   They still are today, continuing to look forward to the Messiah Who has already come.  Verse four states, For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.  I believe that Paul was stating the great truth of the Gospel, which is that Christ fulfilled the law of righteousness, which no one else is able to do.  We are no longer to look to the law for salvation, no matter how zealous we may be in trying to keep it.  We cannot become good enough for salvation through our own attempts.  We must simply come to Christ through faith. The law was given to point people to Christ, not as a way to salvation.  Verse five adds, For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.  I believe Paul was saying that in order for the law to bring salvation, or righteousness with God, a person would have to keep every aspect of the law every minute, and we are not capable of that, which is the reason it was necessary for Christ to come to do what we cannot.  We cannot claim righteousness under the law.  Verse six continues, 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:)  Verse seven says, Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)  I believe that Paul was telling us that there is no one else who can do what Christ did.  No one was capable of bringing Christ down from heaven.  He came willing to be a sacrifice for all people.  No one could bring Christ back from the grave.  He alone could claim victory over death, which we can only claim through Him and not of our own ability.  Verse eight adds, 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;  I believe Paul was asking if the law couldn't save us, then what could.  He tells us that we know the answer, that it is close to us, in our mouth and our hearts.  The answer is faith.  Paul said this is what we, as followers of Christ, preach.  Verse nine continues, 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.  Paul tells us what is necessary for salvation.  We must profess Christ to the world, because we believe in our hearts, our innermost being, that Christ died for our sins.  Professing without faith is not enough. Verse ten states, For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  Paul says as followers of Christ, we must believe in our hearts and proclaim with our words and also with our actions that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior.  Verse eleven adds, For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.  The reason we profess Christ to the world is because we are not ashamed of the Gospel.  Paul boldly proclaimed Christ as his Savior and Lord, and we must do no less.