Dave's Diary

Daily Readings: Romans 10 and Psalm 106

In Romans 10, Paul makes a very straightforward point: Whether you are a Jew or a Gentile, there is only one way to be made right with God. No one will ever be able to do so by obeying the Law, because no one can ever perfectly obey it; so God has made a new Way through Jesus – the Way of Faith.

Here’s how Paul explained this: the only way to receive salvation from sin and to be in right-standing with God is:

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.’

One quick comment is necessary in order to understand that passage well. When the Roman Emperor (also called the “Caesar”) conquered a new territory, every conquered person would be expected to make the confession, “Caesar is Lord.” This was a formal pledge of allegiance, and through it, Caesar was deemed to have absolute authority over them, and they were included as subjects in the Roman Empire.

Now, to the Romans who understood this image perfectly, Paul writes that if you truly believe in your heart that the Gospel Message is true – that Jesus Christ lived a perfect life, then chose to die on the Cross to pay the price for your sin, and then was raised again victoriously from the dead to live forever; and if you therefore declare that “Jesus is Lord” (as opposed to Caesar) you have thereby formally pledged your life in allegiance to Jesus as your LORD (i.e. the Ruler of your life), and you will be included in His Kingdom. You will no longer be a citizen of the kingdom of this world. Now, you will be a citizen of the Kingdom of God.

Nothing but faith-fuelled surrender to the Lordship of Jesus is required in order to enter the Kingdom of God. All who call on the name of the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and Lord will be saved! (v.13).

Life application: Make today a day of recommitment. Just as one might renew one’s wedding vows, why not renew your pledge of faith-fuelled surrender and allegiance to the Lordship of Jesus Christ today.