Reading and meditation on Chapter 10 of the Letter to the Romans:
“Brothers, the goodwill of my heart and my supplication to God for them are indeed for their salvation. 2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to accurate knowledge. 3 For because of not knowing the righteousness of God but seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. 4 For Christ is the end of the Law, so that everyone exercising faith may have righteousness” (verses 1-4).
The apostle Paul acknowledges that the Jews have zeal for God, but not according to accurate knowledge. This accurate knowledge is that Christians are no longer under the authority of the Mosaic Law, because Christ is the end of the Law (verse 4).
Despite this, some Christian religious groups today enforce specific aspects of the Mosaic Law as mandatory. For instance, they mandate the observance of a Sabbath, claiming that the Ten Commandments are not part of the Law. Yet, as we read earlier in Romans 7:7, the apostle included one of the Ten Commandments within the Law (« You must not covet »), which serves as biblical proof that the Sabbath law is part of the Law as a whole. Consequently, under the law of Christ, we are no longer under any obligation to observe a Sabbath. Others impose a financial requirement to pay tithes. This practice falls outside the law of Christ, which does not mandate financial payments to shepherds supported by the flock, nor to clergy—often of American origin—organized into veritable profit-driven financial and real estate corporations.
“For Moses writes about the righteousness that is by the Law: “The man who does these things will live by means of them.” 6 But the righteousness resulting from 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 abyss?’ that is, to bring Christ up from the dead.” 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your own mouth and in your own heart”; that is, “the word” of faith, which we are preaching. 9 For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation” (verses 8-10).
In very abstract terms, Paul writes that the righteousness of faith does not lay down rules regarding who will ascend to heaven or who will descend into the abyss. The righteousness of faith does not condemn; rather, it rewards those who exercise faith in Jesus Christ with everlasting salvation.
However, this faith finds expression in a public declaration: « For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation » (verse 10). This declaration—taking the form of preaching the good news and teaching—is part of the works of faith in Jesus Christ. These works of faith in Jesus Christ demonstrate that faith is alive: « So, too, faith by itself, without works, is dead » (James 2:17). Later in chapter 10, Paul explains why the public declaration of our faith in Jesus Christ is important:
“For the scripture says: “No one who rests his faith on him will be disappointed.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. There is the same Lord over all, who is rich toward all those calling on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved.” 14 However, how will they call on him if they have not put faith in him? How, in turn, will they put faith in him about whom they have not heard? How, in turn, will they hear without someone to preach? 15 How, in turn, will they preach unless they have been sent out? Just as it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who declare good news of good things!”” (verses 11-15).
Regarding the signs of the last days, Jesus Christ said that the good news of the Kingdom would be preached: « And this good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth for a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come » (Matthew 24:14). This highlights the vital importance of publicly declaring our faith, just as the apostles and disciples of their time did.
“Nevertheless, they did not all obey the good news. For Isaiah says: “Jehovah, who has put faith in the thing heard from us?” 17 So faith follows the thing heard. In turn, what is heard is through the word about Christ. 18 But I ask, They did not fail to hear, did they? Why, in fact, “into all the earth their sound went out, and to the ends of the inhabited earth their message.” 19 But I ask, Israel did not fail to know, did they? First Moses says: “I will incite you to jealousy through that which is not a nation; I will incite you to violent anger through a foolish nation.” 20 But Isaiah becomes very bold and says: “I was found by those who were not seeking me; I became known to those who were not asking for me.” 21 But he says regarding Israel: “All day long I have spread out my hands toward a disobedient and obstinate people”” (verses 16-21).
Paul explains that divine messages were proclaimed to Israel, but that, in most cases, they did not listen. That is why God turned his attention decisively toward other, more receptive nations. He cites the prophecy of Isaiah: « I was found by those who were not seeking me; I became known to those who were not asking for me » (verse 20; Isaiah 65:1).
Preaching is a public proclamation. Even though preaching is a simple teaching, it is not to be confused with the pedagogical basic teaching of the Bible, mentioned in Matthew 28:20
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