November 12, 2023
Friends in Christ,
Context matters. You might wear a costume to a Halloween party, but you wouldn’t wear the same thing to a job interview. “I can’t wait for this to explode!” is something you can say while lighting fireworks, but not while attending a friend’s wedding. Context shapes meaning and sets expectations. This is why it’s helpful to pay attention to context when we read the Bible.
For example, I read this verse recently, and thought about how often I’ve heard it quoted.
…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
Sometimes, these words from the Apostle Paul are taken out of context. When we do that, they become a checklist. They become a measure of whether or not someone is a Christian. That seems plausible, but when we read the verse that way, it becomes something for us to do. It emphasizes our confession of faith as an action step toward salvation. That’s not right. That’s not Paul’s emphasis. That’s not how the context shapes the meaning of this verse.
So, how does context help us read this verse? Paul is writing to Christians in Rome and lamenting the fact that Jews who pursue righteousness by attempting to fulfill the law will always fall short. They will not be saved by chasing the laws delivered through Moses. Instead, salvation is a matter of faith in Jesus.
For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. (Romans 10:5)
It’s true – if you can keep all the commandments perfectly, you would earn salvation. Unfortunately, you and I are born into sin which means perfection has been out of reach since before we considered trying. This is not how Christians are made righteous.
But the righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). (Romans 10:6-7)
Becoming righteous is not a matter of doing something. Righteousness is not something you chase down or seek out. There is no great quest for you to undertake to acquire the righteousness of Christ.
But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim)… (Romans 10:8)
Rather, righteousness comes to you through the word of God. When God’s word is proclaimed to you by any of God’s people, you receive this gift. You receive it by faith.
…because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9)
You are saved by faith, not by ticking items off a checklist. You are saved as God’s word comes to you, not because you came to God. This verse is gospel and good news. You are saved by faith which produces your confession and shapes your heart!
Context matters. Your confession comes in the context of God’s work bringing it forward in your heart and life.
Here for you,
Matt Behrens, Pastor
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