Romans 10:1‑13
If education were man’s greatest need, Jesus would have come to Earth as an educator. If it were money, He would have come as a banker. Peace? He would have been a diplomat. What is humanity’s greatest need? We don’t have to guess. Jesus said, “I have come to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). Salvation is mankind’s greatest need.
There are only two categories of people on Earth: saved or lost. One day you will stand before God—we all will—and what will matter most to you is: Am I saved? Or am I lost? The answer will make a colossal difference.
Know these three things about salvation:
1. Salvation is absolutely free.
If you ask people if they’re going to Heaven, they’ll say, “I think so. I hope so.” If you ask “Why?” they’ll say, “I try to be a good person.” Salvation isn’t a reward for the righteous but a gift for the guilty. If you don’t understand that, you’ll never have it.
In Romans 10:1-4, Paul longs for his Jewish kinsmen—keepers of the law—to be saved. They couldn’t accept that Christ put an end to obeying the law as the way to earn salvation.
Many people will go to Hell not because they’re drug dealers or thieves, but because they’re “good” in their own estimation. They think the Gospel is just for the sinner. Most people are egomaniacs trusting in their own religion, believing they’re too good to be damned.
The Apostle Paul was one of them. He explained in Philippians 3:4-7 that he was one of the most religious of all men. “You talk about religious—I’m your guy.” The worst form of human goodness is badness, if human goodness keeps you from salvation. Paul came to that realization and shared it: “I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things…that I may gain Christ...” (Philippians 3:8).
Paul grieved for his fellow Jews, trying by way of the law to establish their own righteousness when “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness” (Romans 10:4).
Stop striving to achieve “goodness.” Instead, trust in Christ with full confidence—cast yourself on Him. He has already provided your salvation. Say, “Lord, here I am. I trust You.” Salvation is God’s free gift. You can’t earn it. You must accept it.
Following the law can’t cure you. It just diagnoses your problem. Grace gives you a new heart and nature, affecting everything you are.
2. Salvation is near.
Paul wanted his Jewish brothers and sisters to understand that Jesus, through His death, burial and resurrection, did everything needed for our salvation.
Salvation is so near, “in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans 10:8) by the Gospel preached to you. Salvation is by grace, through faith.
What do you do? “Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart God has raised him from the dead, and you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). It can’t be stressed too often: “Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4).
It’s done.
Commit everything to Him. Step away from the throne of your life. Put Jesus there instead. Receive a new heart, a new nature. One day you’ll spend eternity in Heaven.
3.Salvation is rich.
“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him” (Romans 10:12).
I’ve been walking with the Lord since I was a teenage boy, and He has never failed me. The life of God in my heart has met my every need.
I do not believe anyone is predestined to go to Hell. God wants everyone saved: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13). “And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17).
Salvation is by grace through faith. There’s no one so good he need not be saved and no one so bad he cannot be saved. Trust the Lord Jesus, not the law, which cannot make you righteous. Only Jesus, by His cleansing blood, can do that.
Paul’s sincerest prayer and heart’s desire for Israel was that his brothers and sisters might be saved. That’s my desire for you today. Don’t let pride keep you from confessing the Lord Jesus Christ. I pray you will come into His fullness and richness.
If you would like to receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, just pray and tell Him something like this:
“Lord Jesus, I’m a sinner and I cannot save myself. I believe You paid my sin debt on the cross with Your blood. I turn from my sin to You. I confess You as Lord. I believe God raised You from the dead, and I trust You to save me. Help me never to be ashamed of You. In Your name, Amen.”
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