Romans 10
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.
Christians growing in faith know what Paul's talking about here. You're excited about The Truth and want everyone else to feel as you do.
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
Many go through the motions of what they believe to be Christian without studying The Word. Paul wants them to hunger with the passion for Christ that he does.
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.
Ignoring things you don't like in The Word doesn't change The Word. We can't make our own way when The Way is there.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
Christ fulfilled the law being the last sacrifice for all. Through Him and only Him can sins be forgiven to those that believe.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
Living by all of the laws make you a righteous person, there was just one problem with that, none were found totally righteous.
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:)
We have an intercessor in heaven, Christ Jesus, but He has given us all we need if we chose to open it. We don't need a human = big tv preacher, to tell us what God has already given. Ref. - Deuteronomy 30:12 It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, `Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it?' Our faith makes us a believer.
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
Deuteronomy 30:13 Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, `Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it. 1 Peter 3:18-19 18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: 19 By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison;" Matthew 12:40 For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
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;
They have no excuses when Moses had told them everything regarding The Way that has come and is to come again Ref.- Deuteronomy 32 and The Way in which our faith brings life. Deuteronomy 32 = "The Song of Moses"
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.
CONDITIONS! "Confess and believe" in Christ and those things He did for you. It's so simple but people want to make it hard. They put the flesh ahead of God. They question everything without using common sense. If you study, your faith grows. You start to see clearly what's going on. satans attacking those that want to believe because he already has those that don't.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
The intellect of your mind/heart is where your soul lives. We confess our sins in the belief Christ defeated death-satan, giving us life everlasting.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Paul quotes Isaiah 28:16 Therefore thus saith the Lord God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste. Do you believe in Christ Jesus? It's that simple †
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.
Christ came for us ALL but we must invite Him in. Ever noticed the picture of Him at a door? There isn't a doorknob on the outside, only the inside. You must be the one to open the door and invite Him in.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Christians can be ushers, showing you to the seat at the table, but you must be the one to come to the feast, the one that seeks The Lord, Christ Jesus for yourself.
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?
There are those given authority to teach, not by humans but by God. If you aren't hearing Gods Word as it's written, you're not hearing Gods Word but a humans twisting of it. It's hard to find a "church" that teaches Chapter for Chapter and verse by verse.
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!
God's Word bring true peace in an otherwise evil world. I can only pray you're seeking The Truth when anyone tells you it's from God. Don't take my word for anything without finding it out for yourself. Make sure it lines up with God's Word!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Paul's referring to what's said in Isaiah 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth! Yet there will always be those who want to go their own way. They look for any other way they can find a second of "peace" but a short lived false peace is what they find.
17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
The more we study, the more we grow in faith. There are three levels to God's Word. A babe need milk while as you grow from that milk there comes a time for meat. A adult Christian will need that third level, spiritual level that brings them an understanding a babe won't have. They've grow in faith! The three levels can be found in John 21:15-17 15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. 16 He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. 17 He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knowest all things; thou knowest that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep.
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.
What happen to The Word when it has been given to all 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.
Evil will test souls. They'll place doubt and confusion throughout the world. They will cause people to question God and seek other gods. This event in time has grown so large today, we have but a short period left until The Lords wrath. Paul Ref. Deuteronomy 32:21
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.
Isaiah 65:1 I am sought of them that asked not for Me; I am found of them that sought me not: I said, "Behold me, behold me," unto a nation that was not called by my name. Israel refused God after all He had done for them.
21 But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people.