God’s Mission
Romans 10:1-13
1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. 2 For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. 3 Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. 4 Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
5 Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” 6 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) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 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: 9 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. 10 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. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
As Romans 13 begins, listen to the Apostle Paul pour out his heart, so attuned to that of our Heavenly Father: 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 (10:1-2).
Having been immersed in the Jewish faith environment from birth, he knew their zeal. He himself lived that way prior to his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus. Paul was still quite zealous after that encounter – but for Jesus, who taught him the truth that
all of scripture centers on: Christ is the culmination of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes (10:4).
Christ is the end of the law so that theremay be righteousness for everyone who believes.
Romans 10:4
In broad religious terms, righteousness means to be right with God. That is what Paul desired for his brothers and sisters. In that context, we see Paul’s words above describing God’s way for us to be saved (Romans 10:10,13).
Notice that while Jesus’ fourth beatitude describes a hungering and thirsting for righteousness within us, in Romans 10 we see God hungering and thirsting for righteousness – for us. That's why we can say that Paul has a heart after God, a heart like our Heavenly Father.
God made him who had no sin be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
2 Corinthians 5:21
Our Father asks Jesus to fulfill all righteousness so that it can be gifted to us by faith (see 2 Corinthians 5:21, 1 Peter 3:18) And so it is, that if you believe in your heart and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, a righteousness from God is conferred on you.
1 Peter 3:18
God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Prayer
Lord God, what a joy, what a pleasure what gratitude I have as I call on Your name. I know that You promise that in calling on Your name, I am saved. I am safely in the palm of Your hand. I will gladly confess with my mouth to anyone that Jesus Is My Lord and that I believe that You raised Him from the dead. May I have a constant thirst for hunger for You and may my thirst for You never be fully satisfied until I see You face to face. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.
Micro-Meditation Scripture
Psalm 119:81-88 (Kaph, 11th letter)
- My soul faints with longing for your salvation
but I have put my hope in your word. - My eyes fail, looking for your promise;
I say, “When will you comfort me?” - Though I am like a wineskin in the smoke,
I do not forget your decrees. - How long must your servant wait?
When will you punish my persecutors? - The arrogant dig pits to trap me,
contrary to your law. - All your commands are trustworthy; help me, for I am being persecuted without cause.
- They almost wiped me from the earth,
but I have not forsaken your precepts. - In your unfailing love preserve my life,
that I may obey the statutes of your mouth.
Micro-Meditation
Teaching or Command of God
Isaiah 41:10a
Do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God….
Isaiah 41:10b
…I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Micro-Meditation
Pondering Point
Paul yearned for his fellow Israelites to know salvation through Jesus; God desires people to know Him through Jesus. What does your soul yearn or faint over?
Journal Prompt:
What does your soul yearn?
