Romans 10:5
‘For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them’.(King James Version)In
verses 5-9, Paul contrasts those who seek righteousness by the law with
those who seek the righteousness of God as a gift. Those who seek to
earn righteousness through keeping the law are consumed with “doing”
(this verse), while those who receive righteousness by faith are simply
confessing what has already been done (v. 9). (Read: Romans 10:3 for
they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to
establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto
the righteousness of God)
This is a simple and yet profound difference. If we are still “doing”
acts of holiness to get God to move in our lives, then we are still
operating under a “law” mentality that is not faith (Gal. 3:12). When we
simply believe and confess what has already been provided through
Christ, then that’s grace. A person who is living under the law and a
person who lives under grace should have very similar actions of
holiness, but their motivations are completely opposite. The legalist
has his attention on what he must do, while the person living by faith
has his attention on what Christ has already done for him.
For instance, the scriptures teach us to confess with our mouth and
believe with our heart and we will receive from God (Rom. 10:9-10; Mk.
11:23-24, etc.). The legalist thinks, “That means I can get God to heal
me by confessing ‘By his stripes I am healed.’” However, the person who
understands God’s grace will not confess the Word to get healed. He will
confess, “By his stripes I am healed,” because he really believes it
has already been done.Analyzing our “mind set” is the simplest way of
discerning whether we are operating in true Bible faith or a legalistic
counterfeit. If the motive for our actions is to be accepted with God,
then that’s legalism. If we live holy out of faith and gratefulness for
what God has already done, then that’s grace.
This quote from Moses is intended to illustrate the harshness of living by the Old Testament
law. Paul quotes this same Old Testament passage in Galatians 3:12, and
so does Nehemiah in Nehemiah 9:29. In each case, the context clearly
reveals that the writer was quoting this verse to speak of the negative
effects of living by the law. Leviticus 18:5 says that once a man starts
trying to fulfill the law to earn righteousness, he will have to
subsist, or remain alive, by his continued adherence to the precepts of
that law. In other words, once you decide to “earn” right standing with
God, then God is going to give you what you deserve. The thing that is
dreadfully wrong with this thought is that no one really deserves
righteousness. We don’t need justice. We need mercy!
This is what Paul is communicating through quoting this scripture
from Leviticus. Trying to achieve righteousness by keeping the law
doesn’t bring peace because it puts the burden of salvation on our
shoulders. In contrast, salvation by grace through faith places the
burden on Jesus, and allows us to walk free. There is still hope-if you
begin to live by grace today and remember Jesus is Lord!!!
If you’d like to receive Jesus as your Lord and Savior, just say the prayer below.
My Lord and my God, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner; I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of the living God (John 3:16).I
believe that he died on the cross and shed his precious blood for the
forgiveness of all my sins (Luke 23:33). I believe that God raised Jesus
from the dead by the power of the Holy Spirit and that he sits on the right hand of God at this moment, Hearing my confession of sin and this prayer.
I open up the door of my heart and i invite you into my heart , Lord
Jesus , wash all my filthy sins away in the precious blood that you shed
in my place on the cross at Calvary .You will not turn me away , you
will forgive my sins and save my soul because your word says so.I know
that you’ve heard me , I know that you’ve answered me and i know that am
saved . Thank you Jesus,for saving my soul.
Feel free to contact us; to let us know of your decision to follow
Christ, we shall be glad to hear from you.Plus, we shall send you a
free salvation package to help you begin your journey with Jesus.
Gifted Divine Ministries
P.0.BOX 28894 K’la,Uganda
www.gifteddivineministries.wordpress.com
www.gifteddivine.blogspot.com
Tel: +256757772952