Tuesday, March 10, 2015

EXPLORE IT - Romans 10:1-17

Every time we become involved in a new activity we are required to learn new terms, new procedures, and new rules.  Whenever I have someone new come into my yoga class, I have to make sure I clearly explain the new vocabulary, explain what I am asking my participants to do, and also correct any improper form in order to prevent injury.  Even in church there are terms and concepts that we encounter that are strange to new people (and sometimes to those who have been around a while too!)

This week, our passage speaks to righteousness.  On the surface, righteousness speaks to “right living” or living life with morality.  On a deeper level, someone who displays righteousness is someone who is “judged” as leading a life that is pleasing to God.  When our actions, our words, and our thoughts are judged by God, do they please Him?  If they do, you are counted as righteous.

In our passage this week, Paul (the author of Romans) builds a contrast between two kinds of righteousness, God’s righteousness and an individual’s own righteousness.  God’s righteousness is available to everyone through faith.  Confessing with your mouth that “Jesus is Lord” leads to salvation and believing with your heart leads to God’s righteousness.  A person’s own righteousness is bound up with laws and works.  When we are more concerned with rules and regulations and shift our focus off of Jesus, we begin feeling a false sense of righteousness.

Only righteousness through Jesus offers salvation.  Our focus must shift off of ourselves and on to Him who saves. 

Blessings,
Pastor Amy

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