Who did Jesus die for? The Bible says God loved the world, not just a select few. In other words, Jesus died and rose again to make salvation available for everyone.
The Apostle Paul spent his life spreading the message of salvation to everyone. But he especially carried a burden for the Jewish people.
I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. Romans 10:2-3
He wanted the people of Israel to get right with God, and they thought they were. In fact, they enthusiastically lived for the Lord but were doing it all wrong.
In their zeal, they believed their obedience to the law kept them close to God. But they often would pick the ones they wanted to follow and ignore others.
For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. Romans 10:5
So, when it came to obeying the law, picking and choosing didn’t work. Moses said that God required obedience to ALL of its commands. Christ, however, fulfilled its purpose.
For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God. Romans 10:4
The Law Couldn’t Save
Because the law couldn’t save anyone, Jesus came and fulfilled it. Thus, Paul told them that it made sense for everyone to turn to Christ for salvation.
They needed to have more zeal for Jesus than they had for the law. Paul said salvation doesn’t go to anyone unless they openly declare the Lordship of Jesus.
If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9
Then, in the next verse, the apostle repeated what he had just said. Salvation comes to anyone and everyone who believes in their heart and publically declares their faith.
For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:10
I wonder why some people shy away from openly declaring the Lordship of Jesus in their lives. Could it be they don’t trust God?
Maybe they’re ashamed of the Lord or might not even have a relationship with Him. Whatever their reason, it comes down to either a lack of faith or not having faith at all.
Often, they’ll say that their religion is a private matter. But they use that statement as a poor excuse to keep from talking about the Lord.
I don’t believe you will find anywhere in scripture that says faith is private and to be kept secret. In fact, in the next verse, Paul tells us what the scripture says.
As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” Romans 10:11
Everyone can Receive Salvation
At the beginning of this chapter, Paul stated a concern for the Jewish people. But when it came to salvation, he quickly included everyone.
Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:12-13
The problem is not “everyone” will receive salvation. Why? Because it only comes to those who have called on the name of the Lord. Why haven’t they called on His name?
But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? Romans 10:14
We often use that verse to emphasize reaching people around the world for Jesus. But who did God call to reach the people in your world for the Lord? Yes, he called you!
And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” Romans 10:15
It’s Not About Being Good Enough
The Jewish people in Paul’s day considered their lives pleased God. Sadly, many today feel the same way. They think God will reward their generosity and goodness with eternal life.
Those two traits are admirable and necessary. But they and other characteristics don’t open the door to eternal life with God. Salvation for everyone comes down to receiving Jesus.
We, you and I, don’t need a special call to reach out to the people around us. God gave us a call when He said “go” into all the world.
Take the good news to everyone in your world with the message of salvation so your feet become beautiful. God has given each of us Christians that responsibility.
When people reject the message He has asked us to share, we feel like a failure. But we can only tell people about Jesus. We can’t change a life. He’s in the life-changing business.
Everybody chooses their own destiny. Because of choices, people either reap the benefits of eternity or suffer the consequences of it. God has commissioned us to offer them that choice.
Lord, today I will become a messenger of the good news so some who haven’t heard will hear it.
Check out these related posts on getting your life right with God
- Receiving Salvation In The Lord Is Made Easy
- Who Can Be Saved?
- An Invitation To Salvation Found In Isaiah
- Born Into The Family Of God
- Jesus Is The Ultimate Sacrifice For All Eternity
- I Know My Redeemer Lives
- Saved By The Grace Of God
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Republished with permission from Blogs.crossmap.com, featuring inspiring Bible verses about Salvation Is For Everyone.
