III. Both Jew and Gentile have the same way to salvation - (Romans 10:9-15)
A. Paul is telling the simple truth of believe and be saved (born again). In saying this, Paul is placing both Jew and Gentile on the same standard of righteousness. As Paul had already set the premises that everyone is under the same wrath and …show more content…
As Paul has already walked us through the need of the salvation of Israel, righteousness by faith, and the sharing the gospel, he then ends chapter 10 by telling of the necessity of the return of Israel back to the Lord. However, Paul’s dilemma is with Israel’s blindness to the truth.
“Who has believed what he has heard from us? And to whom has the arm of the Lord been revealed?” (Isaiah 53:1).
B. That with the salvation of the Gentiles, Israel will become a nation – who will come back to the Lord - in their jealousy. Thus, the whole world will have heard the good news that is mighty to save: “But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have… But I ask, did Israel not understand? First Moses says, ‘I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry” (Romans 10:18-19) – (Referencing Deuteronomy 32:21).
C. Paul then goes on to specifically reference Isaiah 65:1-2 while still referencing multitudes of other Old Testament verses such as Isaiah 6:10, Proverbs 1:24, and Jeremiah 25:4. I believe that Paul does all this because he is trying to hit his main point that though Israel seems to be a lost cause, the Gentiles are not better than, and have not replaced Israel in the heart of the …show more content…
Paul begins chapter 11 with a personal connection to the faithfulness and grace of the Father. How, even in his complete blindness to the truth – as He was persecuting the very people of God - God saved and rescued him. Thus, Paul says, in the same manner, God will gather His people.
“Has God rejected his people? By no means! For I myself am an Israelite” (Romans 11:1).
“So God heard their groaning; and God remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. God saw the sons of Israel, and God took notice of them” (Exodus 2:25).
B. Even from the beginning of time, God knew and formed Israel (Jeremiah 1:5; Psalm 139:15-16). Israel’s journey in the Lord- their fall and salvation – was foreknew and they were still not rejected.
“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).
Meaning, God will keep His remnant because He is faithful to His word. He will remember His promise to Abraham – Genesis 17. Thus, it is only by the grace of the Father that Israel is being preserved.
“Unless the Lord of hosts had left us a few survivors, we would be like Sodom, we would be like Gomorrah” (Isaiah