Unlimited: The Righteousness That is By Faith
Apr 13, 2023 481
But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead).8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart” (Romans 10:6–8a).
Paul is contrasting the righteousness that is by the law with the righteousness that is by faith. He has quoted the writings of Moses to remind us that the way to obtain the righteousness of the law is through performance. You must exemplify the requirements of the law in your life in order to be righteous. This is not only difficult; it is actually an impossibly unattainable goal.
Now he turns to the righteousness that is by faith. The righteousness that is by faith doesn’t consider that Christ and his salvation are far from you. It doesn’t consider Christ and his righteousness a destination to which we must travel. Instead, it is near to you, as near to you as your own heart.
The righteousness that is by faith doesn’t consider that Christ and his salvation are far from you.
False religion always tries many different schemes by which you may ascend to God, or by which God may be brought down to you. That was the purpose of ancient pagan rituals.
True religion tells us that there is only one way to God, and it isn’t something you can do. Instead, God has brought salvation to you, when Christ came to this earth, lived as we lived, and died for our sins. The only way to God is to accept God’s gift of Jesus Christ, and his righteousness, offered freely to you.
Spiritual Application
How do you understand the righteousness that God wants you to have? Is it something far above you that you need to strive for, or is it close to you, as close as your own heart and your own mouth, the moment you choose to accept it?
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