(Romans 10: 1-15)
Back when I was the Prosecuting Attorney for Jefferson County, we had a fairly prolific, but unlucky, burglar. I’m pretty sure he did quite a few burglaries to support his addiction, but he also got caught in the act which is rare for nighttime burglars. He was smart in that he only burglarized businesses and not residences where the homeowner might actually be home and armed. The sheriff’s department was investigating one business burglary that fortunately had a surveillance camera. Unfortunately, the quality of the video wasn’t that good. But, as he had been handled before, the investigating officers felt he looked too much like the on-video burglar to be ruled out. So, they brought him in for questioning and showed him the videotape, but he denied it was him on the tape. He said he was sorry for the burglary, but it wasn’t him. The detective suggested that he call the owner of the business and apologize, playing upon the fact that he had previously apologized when being caught red-handed hoping it would get him out of the charges. So, while in custody, he called the owner and said he was truly sorry that their business had been burglarized. The detective was excited thinking he had secured a confession, but I told him it wasn’t a true confession. He was sorry the business had been burglarized but he didn’t claim responsibility for the crime. He hadn’t gotten right in his heart and confessed with his mouth. That righteousness wasn’t in him. It would have been easy to confess and accept responsibility, but there was still a life out there he wasn’t ready to give up. In spite of his weakness, his sin, he had justified it in his own mind that he was a good person and wouldn’t intentionally hurt anyone. He followed the law, most of the time, and wasn’t as bad as other burglars who broke into houses. He just didn’t get it. The jury also did not believe it was a true confession.
And, not getting it, making a true confession, is what’s bothering the Apostle Paul in our scripture reading for today. He starts out by saying that it’s his heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites that they may be saved. Paul is an Israelite, he was a Pharisee, a Jew’s Jew, a former persecutor of Followers of the Way. He had been where they are, and he has now been shown the light. He’s not only had his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, but he’s been tutored and mentored by other believers who have brought him the good news. As formerly one of them he says; I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. He’s saying that the Jews were so wrapped up in obeying the letter of the Law, the old covenant they had with Moses, they did not know the righteousness that came from God in the form of Jesus Christ who sought to establish them for his own. And, by their rejection, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Paul says that; Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes. Christ is who they’ve been waiting for and they were so busy in their ceremonial observances of the law they didn’t recognize the Messiah who walked among them proclaiming the new covenant.
Paul distinguishes the difference between the old and new covenant when he refers to the Mosaic belief that righteousness with God is in adherence to the law given Moses by God. But Paul says it is so much more than strict adherence and ceremonial rituals. It’s not about keeping score as to who will ascend to heaven and who will descend into the deep. He says; The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart, that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: that if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. That’s it? Are you kidding me? What about all that work I do around the church, all my faithful giving and my community involvement? Doesn’t that count for anything? Sure, it’s important and God appreciates it because that’s what we are supposed to do with a servant’s heart. But anybody can do good deeds, even the non-believers. You hear it all the time; “I don’t have to go to church to do good things, I can choose to belong to an organization that actually does something.” That is true, but if you think being a good, generous and giving person is what gets you into heaven, you’re mistaken, just look at the thief on the cross who asked at the last minute to be remembered by Jesus when he entered paradise. He confessed with his mouth and believed in his heart and, that day, was in paradise with Jesus.
In order to be saved by the law, a person would have to live a perfect life, not sinning once. How difficult would that be! It then becomes a matter of degrees. I may be a sinner, but I’m not near as bad as that guy. I may be a burglar, but at least I don’t do houses. According to Paul, we were given the law of Moses to show us how guilty we are. The early Jews were so obsessed and zealous in observing the law that they added hundreds of others just to be sure nothing was overlooked, particularly what you could or could not do on the Sabbath, keeping it holy. But Paul is telling us that the law was a shadow of Christ, that is, the sacrificial system educated the people so that when the true sacrifice came, they would be able to understand his work. The system of ceremonial law was to last until the coming of Christ. The law pointed to our need for a Savior and that it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away our sins. Paul references the prophet Isaiah when he says; “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame. (Isaiah 28: 16) Paul points out that there is no difference between Jew and Gentile, the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, quoting Joel 2: 32.
Well, that seems simple enough. Is that how I become a Christian? Yes, salvation is as close as your mouth and heart. Really? It can’t possibly be that easy. You see, that’s the problem. First, many people think it must be a complicated process involving classes, going to Sunday School, attending church every Sunday and whenever the doors are open. Second, we Christians can also make it complicated by actually requiring these things and acting contrary to what we profess to believe. It’s only as difficult as you want to make it. People think you have to give up all the good stuff and aren’t supposed to have any fun. The trick is in realizing that the fun really begins once you give up that stuff you thought was fun but was, in reality, harming you in immeasurable ways, like burglarizing businesses to support your addiction. Christ can help you with that if you’ll just let him.
So, Paul asks; How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? For Paul, these are rhetorical questions because he knows that deep down inside, we know the answer. It’s us. It’s not enough to just be a good Christian. In telling others about Christ, an effective witness must include more than being a good example. Being a good example may be your in, your credibility, because eventually you will have to explain the content, the “what” and the “how” of the gospel. Modeling the Christian life is important, but we need to connect the minds of the unbeliever with the message of the gospel. Paul answers his questions when he quotes Isaiah 52: 7; How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news! It’s us, we must take God’s great message of salvation to others so that they can respond to the Good News. God’s righteousness is revealed in the Good News, comes through the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, and is credited to those who trust God who makes the ungodly righteous.
How will your loved ones and neighbors hear it unless someone tells them? I mean, we do a commendable job of meeting the needs of the least of these with our mission work, but how effective are we in actually bringing the good news? It has to be more than giving a person a grocery store card for food or gas, it has to be more than paying for a night in a motel, it has to be more than bean soup or fire starters and the other things we do. They’re great ice breakers and conversation starters, but we have to ask ourselves if we’re even trying to have those conversations, and if we’re not having these conversations, why not?
So, in closing, there are at least two points to be made. First, for those who have confessed with their mouths, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in their hearts that God raised him from the dead, and are saved, don’t you think it’s time to step up your game to spread the Good News to those who need to hear it? We need to stop acting like we’ve got a secret and share it. And, second, for those of you who are lost and searching, wondering if there is more to life than feeding your addictions, your distractions, your distorted pursuit of happiness, are you ready to make a True Confession and turn your life over to Jesus? If you’re ready, we’re ready, and we promise we won’t make it difficult, because it was never meant to be for a select righteous few. Just call upon the name of the Lord and you will be saved.
Please pray with me.
What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought since Jesus came into my heart! I have light in my soul for which long I had sought, since Jesus came into my heart. Since Jesus came into my heart floods of joy over my soul like the sea billows roll, since Jesus came into my heart. Gracious and loving God, move us to make that true confession that Jesus is Lord so that we can cease from our wandering and going astray for we long that our many sins will be washed away and forgotten forever. Instill in our hearts a hope that is steadfast and sure and remove from our sight the dark clouds that obscure our way, our path to eternal life. Hear us as we call upon the name of the Lord and save us from ourselves and move us to bring the Good News to all who long to hear it. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.