Skip to main content

Romans 10:6-7: But The Righteousness Based On Faith Says, "Do Not Say In Your Heart, 'Who Will Ascend Into Heaven?"


Romans 10:6–7
[6] But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) [7] “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). (ESV)

As Paul speaks of a righteousness based on faith we understand that he is contrasting this way of righteousness with one that is based on the keeping of the Law. The Jews had tried to keep the Law and failed. The fact was that even for the Jews they were made righteous by believing in God, not by keeping the Law. No one could keep the Law, as we discovered, not even Moses kept it.

This new way of righteousness based on faith is not some unattainable feat that none of us can accomplish. This is why Paul says we do not have to ascend into heaven or descend into hell to somehow access this great righteousness. It is obtained by faith. The work that is necessary has already been done. Christ accomplished all that we needed on the cross of Calvary.

Consider all of the people who have done incredible works in their effort to "bring Christ down," or "bring Christ up." There are those who feel that if they pile up enough good works that God will see what they are doing and declare them holy. They agonize over just how many works are necessary to gain access to the grace of Christ.

The most freeing moment in any person's life is when they realize that all of their efforts to gain the righteousness of God are useless and that they simply need to place their faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ on their behalf. God is not far away. He is close to all who come to him humbly, and place their faith in Him.

What kind of unnecessary efforts are you involved in? Are you simply placing your faith in Christ for your righteousness? Or are you adding works to somehow gain his favor? Those who give up their efforts and walk the way of faith are truly free.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

James 2:18: I Will Show You My Faith By My Works

James 2:18 [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. (ESV) There are certain things in life that go together. Peanut butter and jelly. Double stuff Oreo cookies and milk. Faith and works. James raises the point that someone might argue that faith and works can be separated. "One will say, "You have faith and I have works." Is it ok for works to be separated from faith? James is making the argument that faith and works are not to be separated. James is saying to the one who has faith only, with no works, that he wants them to see his faith by his works. In other words, if you are going to claim to have faith, but have no works, you have no evidence of faith. If I am to believe that a person has genuine faith I can only see that by their works. Faith brings action. There are so many people to claim to have some kind of faith, yet when it comes down to it, their

Romans 8:18: For I Consider That The Sufferings Of This Present Time Are Not Worth Comparing

Romans 8:18 [18] For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. (ESV) Perspective. What an important word. Let's be honest. We do not like the idea of suffering. We will do almost anything to avoid any kind of suffering. Some churches have gone so far as to preach against the idea of suffering, declaring it to not be a part of the true believer's life. Paul is not shy about the topic. Paul uses the sufferings of this present time as a means to consider the greater glory that awaits us. Perspective. Paul is not in any way attempting to diminish our suffering. A view toward eternity puts our suffering in a proper understanding. Yes, our suffering is terrible. In the grand scheme of eternity it is not even worth comparison. Maybe you are thinking that Paul does not know what he is talking about when it comes to suffering. In 2 Corinthians 11 Paul describes countless beatings, often near death,

Romans 15:20-21: And Thus I Make It My Ambition To Preach The Gospel, Not Where Christ Has Already Been Named

Romans 15:20–21 [20] and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else's foundation, [21] but as it is written, “Those who have never been told of him will see, and those who have never heard will understand.” (ESV) We need to be reminded continually that the message of the Gospel is intended to move all across the world. Jesus said that his followers were to preach the Gospel, starting in Jerusalem, and continue preaching the Gospel to the whole world. Christians have not always been good at delivering the Gospel message as far and as often as they should. In the first century church it took intense persecution to motivate the disciples in Jerusalem to bring the Gospel to Judea and Samaria. Once the disciples fled to new regions they shared the Gospel wherever they went. Would the disciples have preached the Gospel without the persecution? We may never know. Some probably would have stayed in their co