Take Two: Romans 10, Proverbs 17

Chapter 10 continues to reveal Paul's heart for Israel. Now Paul is known as the Apostle to the Gentiles...yet he displays his heart for Israel here. It is not that Paul values or loves one over the other. Not so. Paul recognizes who Israel is in the grand scheme of God's Kingdom. He recognizes that they were chosen as God's people through whom He would bless all the world. He also recognizes that, like himself before he became a believer, many are trusting in their own righteousness rather than God's righteousness for Salvation (vv.1-4). This breaks his heart because he KNOWS that they are lost without Christ.

Accepting that God makes one righteous by grace through faith is difficult for us. However, there is no other way. In vv.8-13 we see that Salvation comes by God's finished work...the belief in our hearts in its efficiency... and the allegience/trust we give it confessing with our mouths. No "work" involved there at all on our part; Only to truly believe.

V.14-15 asks the questions for us to consider: How can they call on him in whom they have not believed? How can they believe in Him whom they have not heard? How can they hear unless someone tells them? How will they tell them unless they are sent? If what is required for a person to be righteous (saved) before God is that they call on God...then their belief really begins with someone being sent to them, telling them of God's Salvation, their belief/trust in Salvation, and confession that they too believe. The gospel (and our responsibilities with respect to it...are very simple).

One must have faith...and the faith that saves is the faith that God reveals (v.17).

Proverbs 17:27 is the takeaway today: "He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding." As I read this I keep thinking on the word "discipline." It takes discipline to only say what "needs" to be said. One who is wise...chooses his words carefully. When he does, people listen intently to the words spoken and heed them. Any man can "lose it" and "blow up" at circumstances...but a man of understanding has a cool spirit. He listens...and responds (rather than reacts).