The way to get ahead in the world is to either be born into the right family, right social status or right caste, or (and this is predominantly in the U.S.) you work really hard and take advantage of opportunities that come your way. That may be true in the world when it comes to money and investments, but that is not the way things go in the economy of God. But isn’t that how we think about spiritual things? If you’re born into it or work hard at it, God has to let you into heaven and bless you in the ways you want to be blessed. Original readers of Paul’s letter to the Romans thought the very same things. Those of Jewish descent believed that they were born into the right family or ethnicity and that if they worked really hard at doing the law, they would be saved. Paul confronts them and us here in Romans 10:8-13.

Paul tackles the supposed righteousness that comes by the law. He decimates the idea that we can earn our way to heaven by somehow obeying the law of God perfectly. Not even Israel – who were given the law, the prophets, and numerous miraculous events – could be saved through their works. Salvation is always about the work of God. Our role is to believe in his Word.

“[I]f you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).