Do you remember when you first heard the gospel? When I was eight years old, my Sunday School teacher shared it again and asked my class to raise our hands if we had “asked Jesus into our heart.” That night, I prayed with my mom, confessing my sin and my belief in Jesus as Savior.

Today’s passage is part of an extended section (Romans 9–11) in which Paul addresses God’s relationship with Israel after Christ. Jesus’ death and resurrection ended the era of the law, making righteousness through faith available to anyone who believes.

Verses 5–7 contrast two kinds of righteousness. The righteousness that came through the law was obtained through human effort. Paul quoted Leviticus 18:5 as proof of this position. The “new” righteousness came by faith in Christ. There was no need to “ascend into heaven” or “descend into the deep” (vv. 6–7). Jesus Christ had already come to earth and dwelt among us. He had died, been buried, and resurrected. The saving work had been done.

Paul writes that only two things are required for a Christian. First, “declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’” (v. 9). Acknowledging the deity of Christ is imperative to faith, and this understanding comes only through the work of the Holy Spirit in our hearts (1 Cor. 12:3). Second, “believe in your hearts that God raised him from the dead” (v. 9). The resurrection is critical, for without it our faith is “futile” (1 Cor. 15:17).

Paul finished this section with another statement about the equality and unity of the Jews and Gentiles. They had the same Lord, for “Everyone who calls on [epikaleo] the name of the Lord will be saved” (v. 13). This call was the believer’s declaration of faith—that Jesus is the Son of God who conquered death.

>> If you’ve never accepted the call to salvation, we pray that today will be the day! To learn more, visit moodybible.org/knowing-christ.

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