The Desire and Declaration of Righteousness
Read the Text: Romans 10
Memorize the Text:
Therefore, brothers and sisters, in view of the mercies of God, I urge you to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God; this is your true worship. Do not be conformed to this age, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.
(Romans 12:1-2, CSB)
Consider the Text: Romans 10:1-4
A link exists between the desire in one’s life and the declarations that one makes. The deep desires in one’s heart motivate and influences the words declared because the desires link directly to the passions of one’s life. A desire to live righteously must exist for the believer because of a deep passion for living for Christ. As a result, the believer’s passion should make their lives a living declaration of Jesus. As Romans 10 opens, the apostle Paul spoke to the desire and declaration of the righteous.
Christians need to live out a TRUE DESIRE for righteousness. The passion in one’s life is a burning desire that pushes one forward. The burning desire consumes the individual and occupies their minds, hearts, and actions. When a lost individual comes to Christ in salvation, the new believer becomes ignited for Christ, and a new passion exists. The new passion comes as a desire to grow in Christ and to see other individuals redeemed. As a result, the believer’s true desire centers on discipleship and evangelism.
The believer’s heart needs a passion for being a disciple who engages others to make disciples. This means that the Christian focuses on declaring the goodness, grace, and offering of the Lord and detailing how one lives according to a relationship with the Lord. In addition, such a passion drives the follower of Christ to share with unbelievers the hope found in Christ and storm the gates of Hell if needed so that those destined for eternal punishment may be rescued. Thus, the passion of the heart leads to the pleading of the heart for others to respond to God’s grace.
Christians need to declare a CENTRAL MESSAGE to righteousness. Paul stated in Romans 10 that pursuing righteousness apart from Christ is pointless. When one pursues righteousness through the gaining of knowledge, then they seek truth in the wrong places and find themselves trapped by changing truth. When they seek righteousness through personal effort, they attempt to construct a different gospel and an alternative avenue to redemption. The declaration of this truth reveals the pointlessness of chasing righteousness apart from a relationship with Christ.
The main message centers around the life surrendered to Christ. The apostle Paul noted that Christ is the completion of the law, and as a result, in Christ alone is the law kept. He identified that Christ alone is the righteousness needed by people because he alone is the perfect and righteous one. The message extends as a gift offered because, in Christ alone, one can receive righteousness because they become clothed in Christ.
As Paul closed Romans 9 and opened Romans 10, he challenged believers to assess where they are resting for their goodness and righteousness. He revealed the pointless nature of personal pursuit and identified that true righteousness comes only through Christ. Thus, we need to ask ourselves what we trust to be righteous before the Lord.
This blog is part of the Coffee and Quiet Time with Jesus Devotional Series found at equippingfaith.com. Join the journey of reading through the New Testament this year. More information can be found at equippingfaith.com.
