Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Thoughts on Romans 10:5-8 (click here for NET Bible)

I am thankful that everything that needs to be done for my salvation has been accomplished through Jesus Christ. I don't have to measure up to the law's righteous demands. It would be an exercise in futility. I don't have to pray for the Messiah to come because He has come. I don't have to pray for Jesus to prove that He is God and His death on the cross is sufficient for my sin. He already did that through the resurrection. All that's left for me is to believe - to transfer my trust from myself onto Jesus Christ for salvation. I am very grateful to the Lord that He led me to do that 41 years ago.

This is, then, is one of the core differences between Christianity and all other religions. Religion says, "Do." Christianity says, "Done." Salvation is near because everything needed has been accomplished in order for God to forgive us our sin. All we must do is appropriate what Christ did for us by placing our total trust in Jesus Christ.

By the way, today is Day One of our 40 days to pray for our city. The "Seek God for the City" prayer guide asks us to pray for our youth today. I don't think it is "coincidence" that today is the monthly "SOS" day for our middle school and high school students. "SOS" stands for "serve our schools." It is an effort of many youth groups in our area. The students from various churches serve the students and faculty in creative ways one day a month. It is student led and implemented. Please pray that God would be honored as these students serve their peers.

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hey Bob, I appreciate how you honored our youth by praying for them and by highlighting SOS.

I'm also excited about what God has done and presumably will continue doing through this new initiative of Prayer, Care, Share in our schools!

Anonymous said...

Mentioned in Mark's blog that I have questions about Dr. Constable's notes on Romans 10:9 on pp.114-115. I read 1 Cor.15 and left with questions about his comments (the paragraph on 115 starting with "Jesus' resurection was not part of His saving work").
So if you and/or Mark could help me out here, that would be great.
thanks! Diane T.

Bob Westfall said...

Diane,

The saving work of Christ involves His death on the cross. In order for a person to be rescued from the death penalty of sin, someone without sin needs to die in that person's place. This is the work that needs to be done. This is the work that Jesus did on the cross. The resurrection of Christ verifies or proves that He is truly God and His death on the cross did pay the penalty of the sins for the whole world. Romans 1:4 states that Jesus, "was appointed the Son-of-God-in-power according to the Holy Spirit by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 1:4 NET) 1 Corinthians 15:17 declares, "And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is useless; you are still in your sins." (1 Corinthians 15:17 NET)

Romans 4:25 puts both Christ's death and His resurrection together, "He was given over because of our transgressions and was raised for the sake of our justification." (Romans 4:25 NET)

The Bible Knowledge Commentary states on Romans 4:25, "Christ’s death as God’s sacrificial Lamb (cf. John 1:29) was to pay the redemptive price for the sins of all people (Rom. 3:24) so that God might be free to forgive those who respond by faith to that provision. Christ’s resurrection was the proof (or demonstration and vindication) of God’s acceptance of Jesus’ sacrifice (cf. 1:4). Thus because He lives, God can credit His provided righteousness to the account of every person who responds by faith to that offer." (Walvoord, J. F., Zuck, R. B., & Dallas Theological Seminary. (1983-c1985). The Bible knowledge commentary : An exposition of the scriptures (2:455). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

I hope this helps!
Bob