Romans 10 & 11

I love the book of Romans, particularly these two chapters. They remove all reason for any of us to boast. I will share a few passages that have made a difference for me:

Romans 10:1-13, "Brothers, my heart's desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to wisdom. For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they did not submit to God's righteousness. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, Who will ascend into Heaven" (or bring Christ down to our level) or "Who will ascend into the abyss?" (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 that we proclaim); 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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame." For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach, unless they are sent? It is written, "How beautiful are the feet of them who bring Good News!" But they have not all obeyed the Gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us? So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of God."

Whether Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Lutheran, Seventh-day Adventist, Church of God, etc. We are saved by grace- by the merits of our Lord Jesus Christ. If we refuse to submit to the righteousness of God and enter His rest, we are disobedient- even if we do good and try to keep 10 commandments. Jesus kept them for us- and it is He who works in us, both to will and to do His good pleasure. The Bible says "Not everyone who cries Lord, Lord will be saved. There are some to whom He will say, "Depart from Me, for I never knew you". It is possible to believe Jesus exists without believing IN Him or being changed by Him. Many claim to know Him, but they do not manifest His character of love to a dying world. Those are the ones who in the last day will cry Lord, Lord and be turned away. It's all about a heart-to-heart connection!