Based on Romans 10 (New King James Version)
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness which is of the law, ‘The man who does those things shall live by them.’ But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, ‘Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’’ (that is, to bring Christ down from above) or, ‘‘Who will descend into the abyss?’’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’ But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, ‘Lord, who has believed our report?’ So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: ‘Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.’ But I say, did Israel not know? First Moses says: ‘I will provoke you to jealousy by those who are not a nation, I will move you to anger by a foolish nation.’ But Isaiah is very bold and says: ‘I was found by those who did not seek Me; I was made manifest to those who did not ask for Me.’ But to Israel he says: ‘All day long I have stretched out My hands to a disobedient and contrary people.”
This passage covers many concepts that are vital and fundamental to our faith in Christ, to be able to have that which only God can give: eternal life or to be born again. The first concept consists of faith. Faith is vital to be able to access the fullness of the spiritual world that God offers. Salvation can only come through faith, by not just believing in God, but moreover, believing God, believing what He says. Because it’s clear, or at least, it should be clear, that we should believe what we are doing, or furthermore, we should believe wholeheartedly what God affirms through His Word. In all reality, faith is everything, which is the very thing that solely depends on us.
That’s why salvation is not through works. And blessed be God that salvation does not depend on our merits because we are incapable of perfection by ourselves. We cannot even come close to it. Therefore, it is written: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9. The Bible also reaffirms this concept in another location as follows: “Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Galatians 2:16. This was the mistake that was made, and it continues being made by many people: thinking that it is possible to fulfill the law or to be good enough on their own for a Holy God. It’s not possible!
Salvation is possible through a two-step process, through 1) repentance and conversion, and through 2) surrender and acceptance. Repentance and conversion is not just about asking for forgiveness, but also, by turning away from our sins, leaving them behind. We need to convert from our evil ways. This was the whole point of the ministry of John the Baptist. “As it is written in the Prophets: ‘Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight.’’ John came baptizing in the wilderness and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:2-4. It is also written: “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.” Acts 3:19. Without repentance and conversion, there is no salvation. A person needs to start from zero with God so that He can build something completely new and different in our lives. To use construction terms, if the foundation and the superstructure of a building was damaged because it was built on a surface that was not stable or secure, it is necessary to start a new construction on an adequate piece of land, over a new foundation, thereby constructing a new building. You must start again.
The second step, surrendering and accepting, consists of a person surrendering to God unconditionally, without reservations, and accepting Jesus as the Lord and owner of their life. And this should be obvious, but it eludes many people. How can you ever belong to God if you have never given Him your life? If you don’t belong to God, then you are not His, right? Jesus Christ is our Savior, but in order to save us, we need to belong to Him. So then, salvation goes beyond the need of a savior. Salvation consists of giving your life to God so that you can be legitimately His, out of your own free will. Human beings are not born being a child of God. A person can only become a child of God by receiving Christ in their life, for it is written: “But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name.” John 1:12.
And finally, this passage talks to us about those that preach and share the gospel of God, and what a blessing they are. But, to be able to do that, we need to be convinced of what has happened in our lives, if something has really happened. Otherwise, what are we going to talk to people about if we don’t believe or are sure of all of this? At the same time, if a person does not feel the need to share this faith with others, they should then ask themselves this question, “what am I doing?” or “why am I following this?” When Christ truly comes into our lives, it should not be something common or unnoticeable. It’s the King of kings and the Lord of lords that has entered our lives; the Creator of heaven and earth.
So then, if you have not yet had this precious personal experience with God, what are you waiting for? And if you have had it, you need to share this with the whole world, because this salvation is for everyone! Lord bless! John