Paul has shown us a tough reality: we’re all trapped in a wrestle with sin because of our selfish desires—what he calls our “flesh”—passed down from Adam. No matter how hard we try, we can’t overcome it on our own; our hearts keep pulling us to do wrong. The law, meant to guide us, can’t save us either—it just shows us what’s wrong and tempts us to sin more, leaving Paul crying out, “Who can rescue us from this body of sin?” (Romans 7:24).
The Jews thought being God’s chosen people, called and His elect, meant they were saved, but Paul explained they weren’t chosen, called, or elect for salvation—they were chosen to bring God’s Word and Jesus into the world. So, being a Jew doesn’t save us either. What are we to do? We can’t be good enough, the law can’t save us, and being a Jew doesn’t save us. How can we be forgiven, accepted by God, and saved from sin’s consequences?
“But the righteousness that comes from faith… The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on Him will not be put to shame, since there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord of all richly blesses all who call on Him.”
Wow! The message isn’t complicated—it’s close to us, in our hearts and mouths. We just need to confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead. We can’t earn righteousness by striving, but Jesus’ perfect life, His death on the cross, and His resurrection give us victory over sin and death. It doesn’t matter if you’re Jewish or not—everyone who believes is saved.
“For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Have you placed your faith in the risen Son of God? Have you confessed Him as Lord, the master of your life? Jesus is God’s gift of grace, and our faith in Him gives us a new standing with God—we’re saved! Do I truly trust in Jesus alone for my salvation? Let’s thank God for His grace, call on Jesus as our Lord, and share this hope with others.