Romans 10: Do you desire to see people saved?

This morning as I read through Romans 10 I felt reenergized to see people saved. As a pastor, I am often guilty of living and preaching without expectancy. Paul opens up this chapter describing his “heart’s desire and prayer to God” is that his brothers and sisters from Israel would be saved. In chapter 9, Paul writes that he wishes he could give up his salvation for the sake of others! Paul’s aim is not to put me down, elevate his holiness, or use verbal force to get me to act, but to remind us of the gospel.

The Gospel

I felt relief when I read these verses, reminding me that salvation does not have to be worked for or earned, it is simple. The gospel is faith in the Son of God, who really left heaven, who was a real man, who really lived a perfect life, who really died, and who really rose from the dead. Jesus did all the work, we simply believe that in our heart and confess it with our mouth.

Romans 10:9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

What happens at salvation?

Romans 10:10-11 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. 11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.”

Salvation from my sin and its penalty of death takes place when I trust in Christ to save me, by grace through faith alone. This justifies me before God, no more penalty because Jesus took my penalty upon himself on the cross.

Romans 3:23-25 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25 whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith.

Jesus is savior, justifier, redeemer, and the propitiation of my sin. This means he appeased or satisfied God’s wrath toward my sin. God is holy, so God hates sin. Jesus bridges the gap between God and I, making me righteous and mending our broken relationship. I now know God as Father, having been adopted into the family of God through Christ, sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Who can be saved?

Paul tells us in this chapter that everyone who believes in Jesus will be saved. Race, wealth, intellect, talent, gender do not matter at the cross. Any and everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. No matter what your soteriology, these verses are God’s word.

Romans 10:12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Pastor, preach the Gospel

Romans 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

I love this chapter because it reminds me of the simplicity of pastoring: preach the good news to those who have not heard it, pray for people to be saved, feed the sheep, pray for the sheep, love the sheep, serve the sheep. I do not need to come up with a cooler, more relevant, more palatable gospel, I need only preach the Word of Christ.

Pastor, we have a beautiful calling

15 And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” 16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?”

Lord, restore to me the joy of your salvation. Remind me that what you have asked of me is a beautifully great privilege. Holy Spirit convict me of ever preaching “my gospel” instead of “YOUR GOSPEL.” The good news of Jesus Christ needs no help from me, I just need to open my mouth.

Christian, proclaim the Gospel

17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Christian, I encourage you to pray to God for a fresh desire to see your neighbors, family, co-workers, grocery store workers, and anyone God puts in your path, come to Jesus. To find their salvation and rest in Him. The Father wants to adopt more kids, let us believe it.