There are many things that people believe in today. Some believe in their good works, believing that the good things they do are enough to give them a right standing with God. Others believe in their achievements, convinced that because of what they have achieved, they are good people. Others believe in another person, placing all of their hopes and dreams in that person. Of course, all of these things will let us down. There is only One who is worth placing all of our faith in, who will never let us down, and that is Jesus.
The apostle Paul believed that Jesus was the only One worthy of putting our faith in, and he wrote about it in Romans 10. In this passage of Scripture, he wrote, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (verse 9). The only thing that can save us, Paul wrote, is believing in Jesus and His resurrection from the dead, nothing more and nothing less. Next, Paul explained why believing in Jesus leads to salvation. He continued writing, "For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved" (verse 10). My friend, Jesus is the only One worth placing our faith in because only He can save us. Even more, when we place our faith in Him, we will never be disappointed. That is why, in Romans 10, Paul reminded readers of what Isaiah 28:6 teaches when he said, “Anyone who trusts in Him will never be disgraced” (verse 11). What a promise we have to cling to!
The Scripture we studied today serves as a reminder that nothing in this world is worth placing our faith in. Jesus is the Only One worthy of our belief and faith. Is there anything that you have held on to or believed in other than Christ? Let go of it today and turn to Him. Commit to placing your faith only in Him and encouraging everyone around you to do the same.
Confess to God anything that you have looked to for hope other than Him. Admit that these things cannot satisfy or save. Commit to looking only to Him for hope and salvation. After all, only He can save.
1Dear brothers and sisters, the longing of my heart and my prayer to God is for the people of Israel to be saved. 2 I know what enthusiasm they have for God, but it is misdirected zeal. 3 For they don’t understand God’s way of making people right with himself. Refusing to accept God’s way, they cling to their own way of getting right with God by trying to keep the law. 4 For Christ has already accomplished the purpose for which the law was given. As a result, all who believe in him are made right with God.
5 For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands. 6 But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). 7 And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” 8 In fact, it says,
“The message is very close at hand;
it is on your lips and in your heart.”
And that message is the very message about faith that we preach: 9 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”
16 But not everyone welcomes the Good News, for Isaiah the prophet said, “Lord, who has believed our message?” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ. 18 But I ask, have the people of Israel actually heard the message? Yes, they have:
“The message has gone throughout the earth,
and the words to all the world.”
19 But I ask, did the people of Israel really understand? Yes, they did, for even in the time of Moses, God said,
“I will rouse your jealousy through people who are not even a nation.
I will provoke your anger through the foolish Gentiles.”
20 And later Isaiah spoke boldly for God, saying,
“I was found by people who were not looking for me.
I showed myself to those who were not asking for me.”
21 But regarding Israel, God said,
“All day long I opened my arms to them,
but they were disobedient and rebellious.”
