“But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’(that is, to bring Christ down from above) or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’ (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved’” (Romans 10:6-13).
Four essential features of the gospel’s offer of righteousness by faith are declared in this passage. Each facet of the glorious gospel of Jesus Christ is worthy of reverent consideration.
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The righteousness of faith is only possible because of Jesus and everything He did between His miraculous conception and miraculous resurrection (vv. 6-7). No heroic human feat was required. No mere mortal had to ascend into heaven or descend into the abyss for the gospel to be available to humanity.
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The righteousness of faith is available and understandable (v. 8). It is available in the preaching of the gospel, for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
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The righteousness of faith is personal and do-able (vv. 9-11). You must confess with your mouth. You must believe in your heart, for you to be saved. Whoever does this will not be put to shame because he will not have Christ to be a stumbling block or a rock of offense.
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The righteousness of faith is completely impartial (vv. 12-13). “Whoever” means “whoever”. Anyone. There is no distinction between Jew and Gentile. All have sinned; there is none righteous; therefore, one universal, impartial plan solves everyone’s sin problem.
The gospel alone is the power of God unto the righteousness of faith.
