Romans Chapter 10 cont'd
But the righteousness based on believing God has a different dynamic according to the scripture, "You don't need to ascend into heaven." (Neither can you make the Messiah come down from heaven.) "You don't need to descend into the grave." (Neither can you raise Messiah from the dead.) Only God could do such things. But what does it say? "God's salvation which we preach to you is within your reach- it's very near. It's in your mouth and in your heart." He has already accomplished it for you, just believe it!
If you will confess with your mouth, Jesus as your Lord, believing in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be forgiven and declared righteous by God. For it is by believing in our hearts and verbally affirming our faith in Jesus, that we receive God's free gift of salvation. Remember, the scripture says, "Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed." God is loving and generous and he is the Lord of all ethnic groups. He will respond to the penitent cry of absolutely anyone who will call on the name of Jesus Christ and save them from their sins.
Comments:
So...this is the golden nugget of the gospel of Jesus. An old righteousness (eternally old!)...God's righteousness...has now come near and become astoundingly accessible to all people groups and each individual person within them...because he has brought it to us in Person. It's the only "righteousness" that will do...ours is like filthy rags...until he clothes us with his...until his becomes personally ours by trusting Jesus from our deep heart.
It simply isn't about our power, goodness, talent, greatness, accomplishments, sensitivity, social status, wealth, religious background, race or gender. True salvation for the human being is totally tied to the Father sending his Son, Jesus, into this world. Jesus showed us the Father's nature and will in his earthly life and ministry. Jesus bore the guilt and shame of the sins of all humanity and died on the cross. The Father raised Jesus from death to life on the third day by the power of the Holy Spirit. Our essential spiritual transformation...even these many years later...is activated very simply: God did this for us in Jesus...we believe it...we openly confess it to God himself and any who might hear our voice...and the miracle occurs...God's own righteousness...God's very eternal life...is infused into our souls by the same power that raised Christ from the dead.
My dear friends...whatever heights of spiritual life you have scaled or aspire to mount...please never forget or neglect this Rock from which true spiritual life is hewn. Come back to him again and again and again...come daily...come hourly...come moment by moment by breathing out subterranean prayers as you take on the tasks, endure the trials and drink in the simple joys of life...and lean into the Righteous One who is the very source of your life.
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