Paul reminds his readers again not to trust in their human strength or in the keeping of the law. They are to trust in Christ who perfectly kept the law and who gave Himself for them.
"Brothers and sisters, my heart's desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes." (Romans 10:1-4) Our right standing with God comes not through our works but through our relationship with Christ. If zealously following the law could have obtained salvation for us, Christ would not have had to give Himself. His sacrifice makes up our lack.
"Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: 'The person who does these things will live by them.' But the righteousness that is by faith says: 'Do not say in your heart, 'Who will ascend into heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down) or 'Who will ascend into the deep?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? 'The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,' that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:5-9) If a person wants to live by the law he must keep the law, but no one can perfectly keep the law. This is why the sacrificial system was still necessary in Old Testament times. But Jesus Christ came and kept the law perfectly, therefore our faith in His sacrifice does for us what we can't do for ourselves.
Paul knew that some scoffed at the idea that Christ had come from heaven. They didn't believe Jesus of Nazareth could be the Christ because He wasn't a great priest or king. They didn't believe He could be the Christ because He was crucified. They couldn't understand the concept of a Messiah who suffers. Paul knew that some scoffed at the idea that Christ was risen from the dead. They demanded proof. They wouldn't take the word of the disciples and all the other followers who witnessed the risen Christ for a period of forty days. This is why Paul says you have to be faith to be saved, the faith to say, 'Jesus is Lord,' and the faith to believe God raised Him from the dead.
"For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, 'Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame.' For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile---the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on Him, for, 'Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'" (Romans 10:10-13) Whether Jew or Gentile, salvation is by faith. We can't earn salvation. We have to trust in Christ, believing that He died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead.
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