1. Law and Grace – Shedding Light on the Path of Salvation
Romans 10 is renowned as a chapter in which the Apostle Paul reiterates his fervent desire for Israel’s salvation, delving deeply into the issue of “Law and Grace.” Its focus is to explain why Israel, unlike the Gentiles, failed to obtain salvation and went astray. Pastor David Jang, along with numerous pastors and theologians, has consistently emphasized that the core theme of Romans 10 does not lie simply in “the Law” itself, but rather in how humans approach the Law and, ultimately, in the gracious “righteousness of God” that is revealed. In essence, this passage vividly demonstrates the outcome of using the Law as a tool to establish one’s own righteousness (“self-righteousness”) and shows through whom God’s work of salvation is actually fulfilled. Studying this chapter is not just about comparing Jews and Gentiles; it provides critical insight that prompts us to fundamentally examine and reflect on our own faith practices today.
Following Romans 9, in Romans 10 the Apostle Paul continues to express the same heart toward his own people, Israel. In verse 1, he states, “Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.” At the beginning of chapter 9, Paul had already poured out his sorrowful lament for Israel, saying, “I speak the truth in Christ—I am not lying.” His longing is for Israel to truly receive salvation. It is not merely an emotional attachment of Paul’s; rather, it reflects his anguish over the fact that Israel—God’s chosen people, first called within the divine plan of salvation—has rejected the grace that was rightfully theirs.
Paul develops this argument in Romans 9:30–31: “Israel, who pursued the law as the way of righteousness, has not attained their goal, but the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it—a righteousness that is by faith.” How can we explain this paradoxical situation? The answer, more concretely presented in chapter 10, is that Israel—by relying on the Law to claim their own righteousness—failed to recognize the true righteousness of God. Paul’s point is that a faith that trusts in and boasts of its “self-righteousness” is ultimately unable to accept the true gospel, which is “the righteousness that comes by faith.”
In Romans 10:2, Paul testifies, “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.” The zeal of the Israelites is not denied; rather, the problem is that their zeal stemmed from ignorance. Paul himself, before encountering Jesus Christ, believed he was serving God faithfully, yet he committed persecution and violence without hesitation. He had been so zealous that he traveled from Jerusalem to Damascus with arrest warrants in hand to capture Christians, yet this zeal was set against the gospel. In other words, zeal not grounded in proper knowledge leads to self-righteousness rather than to genuine obedience to God—something Paul experienced firsthand.
After commenting that “their zeal is not based on the right knowledge,” Paul goes on in verse 3 to point out the crux of the matter: “Since they did not know the righteousness of God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness.” The issue Paul highlights is the lack of true “submission.” Israel was not genuinely submitting to God. He does not blame the Law itself but criticizes how Israel’s attitude—using the Law as a means for self-glory and self-righteousness—resulted in failing to submit. The Law, as Paul explains elsewhere in Galatians, was likened to a “tutor” leading us to Christ. In other words, the Law was an incomplete guide or preliminary stage pointing humanity toward true righteousness, not the final end that would bring about salvation in reality.
In Romans 10:4, Paul declares, “Christ is the culmination of the Law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.” Over the centuries, the word “culmination” has inspired various interpretations. Some have taken it to mean “abolish,” but Paul’s intention here aligns more with “fulfillment” and “completion.” The Greek word telos carries the nuance of reaching a finishing point or goal through a process, just as Jesus says in the Sermon on the Mount, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law, but to fulfill it.” In Christ, the Law reaches its true fulfillment. And that fulfillment is manifested through “grace,” because the only way to fully satisfy the requirements of the Law is not through human effort or righteousness, but through the grace of the gospel.
So what is grace? It is the love of God revealed through the incarnation, life, crucifixion, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Through this grace, we are liberated from sin and freed from the guilt the Law exposes. When Jesus refused to condemn the woman caught in adultery, saying, “Neither do I condemn you,” He displayed the mercy that is the concrete form of this grace. While the Law exposes sin, it is the sacrifice and love of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, that completely solves the problem of sin. This act perfectly satisfies the demands of the Law, bringing it to its completion.
Therefore, Paul does not intend to pit Law and Grace against each other. He never says, “We don’t need to keep the Law.” On the contrary, he acknowledges the abundant grace Israel had received precisely because the Law was given to them. At the same time, he demonstrates that trying to attain true righteousness through the Law is impossible because of human limitations, and that the grace revealed in Jesus Christ fulfills the Law. That is, while the Law served to protect and educate the people of God in the Old Testament—much like a “tutor”—the emergence of Christ’s love, the new Law, brings the original purpose of the Law (leading humanity away from sin and toward God) to full completion.
From verse 5 onward, Paul quotes Leviticus 18:5, saying, “Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: ‘The person who does these things will live by them.’” The core teaching of Leviticus is that life is preserved when people observe God’s statutes and laws. All creation, not just humans, flourishes under the order God has established—plants send roots down into water and leaves toward the sun; animals live according to their own ecological rhythms and instincts; in the same way, humans are given God’s law. In the Old Testament, this was the “Law of Moses.” However, the key question remains: Could that Law actually bestow complete righteousness on humanity? Paul never states the Law is “bad.” He simply shows that, even if people try to keep the Law, their inability to achieve total obedience inevitably leaves them sinners.
This is precisely why Paul moves on in verses 6 and following to discuss “the righteousness that is by faith.” Quoting Deuteronomy 30:11–14, he explains that God’s Word is not far away—there is no need to go up to heaven or down to the deep to bring it back; the Word is already in our mouths and in our hearts. This reminds us that even during the Old Testament era, it was God who took the initiative to provide the Law. Just as Moses received the Law on Mount Sinai, people did not accomplish or acquire the Law by their own merit. Similarly, no one has to go up to heaven or down into the deep to bring Christ up—Jesus’ entire life (His incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection) has already come near us, and His grace has drawn close to us. Thus, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This is the essential formula for salvation that Paul sets forth in Romans 10:9–10.
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” This statement is a frequently cited verse in Evangelical traditions that emphasize personally accepting Jesus. Notice that in verse 9, Paul mentions speaking with the mouth first, then believing in the heart; in verse 10, he clarifies that one believes in the heart first and then confesses with the mouth as the natural progression. Ultimately, the priority is to believe in the heart, followed by confessing with the mouth.
Here we face the question: “Have I genuinely acknowledged the Lordship of Jesus Christ, opened my heart, and received the gospel?” In the past, some Jews claimed automatic salvation simply because “I am a descendant of Abraham.” Similarly, people today may settle into a complacent attitude: “I’ve gone to church for a long time, so I must be saved.” However, Paul insists that salvation does not come by lineage, background, or religious zeal. It comes from personally deciding to believe in the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ with one’s heart and confessing Him as the true Lord.
Comparing the fervor based on the Law to faith based on grace, Paul highlights precisely this point. While the Law demands “acts” and “effort,” human beings cannot perfectly fulfill them and end up building self-righteousness—risking spiritual pride masked as obedience. On the other hand, the way of grace is to wholly accept the outcome of the salvation already accomplished by Jesus Christ. Hence, it resonates with Ephesians 2:8–9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith.”
In Romans 10:11–13, Paul again references the Old Testament (Isaiah 28:16 and Joel 2:32): “Anyone who believes in Him will never be put to shame,” and “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” This declaration conveys a universal message: anyone—Jew or Gentile—who calls on the name of Jesus Christ will be saved. Although the Law was given to a specific people (Israel) to set them apart, the righteousness and salvation it pointed toward have now been opened to all humanity through Jesus Christ. That is the context of Romans 10.
Paul then goes on in verses 14–17 to logically outline the process of salvation: “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? … And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? … Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” This shows, in a dramatic way, the importance of preaching the gospel throughout the history of the Church. If people do not hear the gospel, they cannot believe in their hearts and consequently cannot receive salvation. Therefore, those commissioned as apostles must preach, and “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” is quoted here from the Old Testament. When those sent fulfill their calling, the gospel is proclaimed; hearing it gives rise to faith, and that faith leads to salvation.
Pastor David Jang, in various sermons and expositions on this passage, has repeatedly emphasized that the core spirit of evangelism is “testifying to God’s righteousness and grace.” Some see evangelism or missions as merely knowledge, logic, or a strategy for church growth, but in the light of Romans 10, true proclamation of the gospel is about embedding the Word of Christ into a person’s heart so that, once heard, that person believes and confesses Jesus as Lord. It is not just an “event” held by the church; it happens in everyday life wherever we share and receive the gospel—a form of “spiritual communication” at the personal level.
Summing up the relationship between Law and Grace: the Law exposes sin and diagnoses human limitations, highlighting our need for Christ; yet the Law itself lacks power to save. All the Law ultimately finds fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He did not come to abolish the Law but to complete it—He accomplished what the Law aspired to do, namely, restoring a genuine relationship with God through the pathway of love. Thus, we must vigilantly guard against any attitude, whether in the church or in personal faith, that uses the Law to prop up self-righteousness. Our salvation is only by the righteousness of Christ—His grace alone. We may indeed have zeal, but the focus of that zeal must be obedience and love toward God, not self-boasting.
Moreover, according to Romans 10, the fundamental reason for Israel’s failure lies in their “unbelief” and “disobedience.” Although the Word was near them, they refused to receive it in their hearts, ultimately rejecting Christ and the gospel. We confront the same challenge today. How many opportunities to hear the Word do we have? Yet are we truly believing it in our hearts and putting it into practice? If we merely listen without experiencing any real change, we risk following the same path as Israel, which calls for serious self-examination.
2. Israel’s Unbelief – God’s Plan of Salvation and Our Self-Reflection
In the latter part of Romans 10 (vv. 18–21), Paul again zeros in on the problem of Israel’s unbelief. “But I ask: Did they not hear? Of course they did: ‘Their voice has gone out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.’” So it is not that they “did not hear” but rather that “they heard and did not obey.” In some respect, Israel personally witnessed the proclamation of the gospel, and they had intellectual knowledge of the Messiah as foretold throughout the Old Testament. Paul himself was an expert in the Law and the Old Testament, yet he persecuted the gospel before encountering Jesus. In that sense, it is not that the Israelites “didn’t know” because they never heard; rather, they closed their hearts so fully that “they had no ears to hear,” as Paul puts it.
In verse 19, Moses is quoted: “I will make you envious by those who are not a nation; I will make you angry by a nation that has no understanding.” Paul here hints at how the salvation of the Gentiles might stir Israel to envy and lead them to return. Indeed, in the Old Testament, whenever Israel broke God’s covenant and refused to repent, God often used other nations as instruments to awaken them. In Romans, Paul re-quotes this passage, implying, “As salvation spreads to the Gentiles and the gospel goes out worldwide, Israel should be provoked to realize its own standing.” However, most Israelites continued to reject the gospel, and thus salvation was widely extended to the Gentiles.
Verse 20 references Isaiah 65:1: “I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me; I was found by those who did not seek me.” This prophetically signals that the Gentiles would discover God through the gospel. In the New Testament era, through Jesus and the apostles, numerous Gentile peoples—who had no blood ties to the Jewish lineage—flocked to embrace the gospel, and the Church exploded in growth. Romans 10 questions why the Jewish people, proud possessors of the Law and identity as God’s chosen, persisted in unbelief and rejection of the gospel. They missed the essence of faith: “obedience to God’s righteousness,” forfeiting the grace they could have received.
Verse 21 states, “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” This symbolically depicts God’s long-suffering patience with Israel. The father in the parable of the prodigal son sees the son from afar, rushes out, and embraces him. That is the sort of image portrayed here: God continuously extended His hands to Israel, yet Israel shut their hearts even as the Messiah stood before them proclaiming the gospel. Consequently, as already explained in Romans 9, that fruit of salvation was abundantly opened to the Gentiles. Paul compares this to “natural branches being broken off and wild olive shoots being grafted in” (Romans 11). Such was the magnitude of Israel’s unbelief. It does not signify that God’s salvific plan failed; rather, human beings did not submit.
In modern times, Pastor David Jang and many church leaders remind us that we should not regard Israel’s story as merely a lesson from history; it should be applied directly to our own faith lives. A longstanding religious heritage, familiarity with church traditions, and extensive biblical knowledge do not automatically guarantee “obedience.” Just as Paul confessed, “I was zealous but not according to knowledge.” He did not genuinely know Jesus Christ, nor did he know God’s righteousness. Meanwhile, Gentiles, who did not have the Law, instead embraced the gospel with gratitude for grace, experienced the power of the Holy Spirit, and entered into salvation with great joy.
Paul’s argument remains relevant in the twenty-first century because the Church and believers can still claim they “see,” or assume they have already secured salvation. In John 9:41, Jesus says to the Pharisees, “If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” This was a dire warning to those who, in their spiritual blindness, refused to acknowledge it, insisting, “We know,” “We are righteous.” Thus, using Israel’s example as a caution, we must ask, “Do I say I see, yet actually fail to hear and obey?”
Hence, Romans 10 simultaneously presents a message of hope—that “anyone who receives the gospel, without distinction, will be saved”—and a message of warning—“no salvation comes to those who hear yet do not submit.” Revisiting the core truth of Romans 1:17, “The righteous will live by faith,” we see once again that faith, not Law, is the key, a faith rooted in Christ’s grace. Yet such faith does not arise out of nowhere; it begins with hearing the Word, receiving the love and saving truth of God in our hearts, and following through with confession and action. The Church is tasked with teaching and proclaiming the Word so that each believer might truly listen and inscribe the gospel upon their heart.
When Paul asks, “How can anyone preach unless they are sent?” (Romans 10:15), he is aware of his own apostolic calling to the Gentiles. Certainly, not all of us hold the same office as the Apostle Paul. However, because Jesus gave the Great Commission—“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation”—this command applies to every believer. Every Christian is called to share the “good news” through their words. We are commissioned to bear witness to Jesus Christ—our Savior, the One who fulfills the Law and grants us new life—in our families, workplaces, schools, and neighborhoods. Pastor David Jang regularly highlights how easily the modern Church can lose this zeal for sharing the gospel. Beyond the logic of church growth or institutional management, we must actively engage in the process by which each soul hears the Word, believes in the heart, and receives salvation.
On the other hand, Israel’s example of unbelief shows how “hearing but not believing, or believing in a way that magnifies one’s own merits” inevitably leads one to miss out on God’s righteousness. The Pharisees excelled beyond everyone else in reciting the Law, praying, fasting, and giving. But Jesus rebuked them, saying, “Prostitutes and tax collectors are entering the kingdom of God ahead of you,” exposing their misplaced religious pride. Although biblical knowledge and abundant church service are significant, true faith is found in “accepting the Lord’s love in our hearts and humbly submitting to God.”
From Israel’s example, we see that it is not “knowledge itself” or “the Law” that is the real issue but rather humanity’s refusal to obey. Because of that disobedient heart, our lips may praise God while our actions actually oppose Him. That is precisely what verse 21 means: “A disobedient and obstinate people.” We may call out, “Lord, Lord,” and yet follow our own thoughts and desires. Jesus Himself declared, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven.” Only those who love God, listen to His Word, and obey it from the heart can truly partake in the kingdom of God.
Romans 10 offers profound insight on salvation, particularly on justification (becoming righteous) and assurance of salvation. Under Judaism, Law observance was seen as central to salvation. But human beings could not keep that Law perfectly, leaving them in a hopeless state. Paul testifies that Jesus Christ’s cross and resurrection solve this problem. “It is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved” underscores that the essence of faith lies in an “inner, spiritual agreement and acceptance.” Our efforts do not save us; rather, when we gratefully accept the perfect work of Christ and believe in the One who died for us, we become justified and share in salvation.
This is intrinsically connected to acknowledging “the lordship of Jesus Christ.” Declaring the gospel with our lips is not mere “wishful thinking” for solving personal problems (the so-called prosperity gospel). Believing that God raised Jesus from the dead is both the decisive proof of Jesus’ saving work and the confirmation that He is alive even now, reigning over the universe. Thus, faith means yielding ourselves before this astonishing Lordship and confessing, “You are my King and the Ruler of my life.” That is why Paul includes “if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord.’” Believing in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead leads us into genuine obedience and submission.
In the latter part of Romans 10 (vv. 18–21), Paul recalls that it was “not that Israel had not heard, but that they refused to obey.” This clarifies how God’s chosen covenant people, with abundant privileges, ended up rejecting the Messiah so persistently—even more persistently than other peoples. Ultimately, they were gripped by their own righteousness, resisting the act of “submission.” Israel possessed vast knowledge, but it was not “the right knowledge,” and they refused to confess themselves as sinners in need of grace. According to Paul, God “held out His hands all day long.” This is reminiscent of the father in Luke 15 who waits for his son. God waits for us to return, but when humans are convinced of their own rightness, that relationship is inevitably broken.
Does this mean God’s plan has failed, with the chosen people of Israel left out while the Gentiles take their place? Certainly not. In Romans 9–11, Paul lays out a sweeping explanation of God’s sovereignty and election, including the salvation of the Gentiles, and indicates that Israel as a whole is not forever excluded. At the appointed time in God’s calendar, Israel, too, will be saved (Romans 11:25–26). Yet the immediate call Paul is issuing to Israel is clear: “You have already heard the Word—open your hearts, submit to Christ, and be saved.” Continuing in unbelief means choosing to remain outside the “door of salvation.”
This message is equally applicable to the contemporary Church and believers. We talk about the importance of evangelism, but how effectively are we helping people develop genuine heartfelt faith? And what about our own faith? “In my heart, do I truly acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ? Or do I seek to accumulate my own righteousness through church membership, biblical knowledge, ministries, and programs so I can boast before God?” Romans 10 confronts us with these questions, urging us to stand on God’s righteousness in humble submission.
Paul states that the gospel is “near” us—in fact, it is in our mouths and hearts—meaning God draws near to us actively and immediately. The gospel is not some far-off ideal. The events of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion, resurrection, and love are continually shared with us through the Church, Scripture, and the testimonies of other believers. The real question is how we respond. We can hear and dismiss it, or regard it as irrelevant. But true “hearing” occurs only when we open our hearts and receive it deeply. The moment we truly listen, faith takes root and leads us closer to God. God also continually extends His loving, gracious hand so that we might hear.
Pastor David Jang often stresses, in various teachings, the importance of “developing a habit of listening to the Word.” Since “faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the Word of Christ” (Romans 10:17), our spiritual ears must remain open. Whether listening to a sermon in a worship service, reading the Bible, or participating in small-group discussions, we continuously receive God’s Word. Yet authentic “hearing” is not merely registering sounds; it means embracing the message in our hearts. Then faith is not just an accumulation of knowledge but becomes the driving force of spiritual transformation. Daily spiritual disciplines are needed for this. In the hustle and bustle of modern life, full of noise, media, and endless data, we must intentionally carve out space to listen to the Word and practice it.
Romans 10 integrates soteriology (the doctrine of salvation), missiology (the call to evangelize), and a theology of Israel. That the Gentiles stepped into salvation where Israel failed highlights the vast scope of God’s plan. This dynamic has recurred throughout church history. People closest to the gospel sometimes take it for granted and disregard its value, while those initially far off discover the pricelessness of God’s Word. This reminds us that there may be people in the church saying, “Lord, Lord,” who do not believe and obey from the heart, while some outside the church, who seemed lost, may suddenly hear the Word, be profoundly moved, repent, and return to God.
God is continually holding out His hands. The only way to respond is through faith and obedience. The Law reveals our sins and shows our desperate need for Christ, and only Jesus Christ’s grace provides the solution. When we believe in our hearts and confess with our mouths, we partake in His redeeming work—this is the core of faith. From God’s perspective, every path has already been opened. On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished,” and His resurrection confirms that power. The question is whether we receive this grace in surrender, or whether unbelief and disobedience cause us to push it away.
The final verse of Romans 10 (v. 21) concludes on a note of lament: “All day long I have held out my hands to a disobedient and obstinate people.” Theologically, it is more than an epitome of Israel’s history; it epitomizes the sinfulness of humanity. Even when God invites us, we often do not respond, preferring to wander our own way, asserting our pride. Nevertheless, God still “all day long” holds out His hands. Like the father running to the prodigal son, He never withdraws His love for us. This is the magnificence of the gospel. Whoever returns to His embrace is welcomed as His chosen child, as if they had been so from the start.
Applying this message to our faith: First, we must clearly distinguish Law from Grace. Although the Law exposes our sin, only grace can abolish it. Hence, we must guard against any inclination toward self-righteousness; we depend entirely on Christ’s merit. Second, learning from Israel’s unbelief, we must always be ready to listen and obey. Even a longstanding church tradition, impressive theological knowledge, and fervent ministry can become futile without genuine submission of the heart. Third, we must remember that “faith comes from hearing,” and therefore remain devoted to both sharing and hearing the gospel. As Pastor David Jang and many other leaders often exhort, we must not be lax in evangelism, whether within the church or reaching outward. Evangelism should not merely be a “program,” but an outpouring of the gospel’s vitality within us, enabling the hearer to come to faith and experience salvation.
Thus, Romans 10 highlights essential issues in Christian living. Paul’s earnest love for his own people translates into the very reason and passion we need to share the gospel in the world today. Israel missed its opportunity to embrace the gospel; we, too, could miss it if we are complacent. We must consistently examine ourselves and remain humble before the Word of God. The gospel is not distant; it is near, in our hearts, ready for our confession. If we cast aside our stubborn refusal to hear and pride that resists obedience, that gospel proves powerful to lead us into the fullness of salvation.
Ultimately, “The righteous will live by faith,” the overarching motif of Romans, is vividly reaffirmed in chapter 10. The Law was humanity’s attempt at achieving righteousness through labor and works—an endeavor doomed to fail. Through faith, receiving Christ’s completed work, the door to righteousness is opened. This door stands wide for the Gentiles and is likewise open to us. Beneath Paul’s explanation lies his deep sorrow: “Why does the chosen people of Israel reject this gospel?” Even so, there is also hope: “God’s abundant grace is extended to all humanity; no one is excluded without cause.”
In our present context, we should not limit the gospel, nor boast, “I already know it,” nor dismiss it as “irrelevant to me.” Romans 10 serves as a wake-up call to the Church of this age. It warns against hypocrisy—confessing with the lips while keeping the heart closed—or against unbelief after hearing the Word, or clinging to religious formalities and self-righteousness. Yet despite all that, God remains with outstretched hands. The grace of the gospel is open to everyone, and there is a sure promise that “whoever hears and responds in faith will be saved.” This is the most precious good news that Romans 10 conveys, and it is the message that Pastor David Jang and countless preachers will continue to proclaim across the ages.
Romans 10 teaches us two fundamental truths. First, “The Law is fulfilled in Christ, and Grace is the true path to salvation.” No matter how intensely we labor or strive, we cannot achieve perfect obedience and be righteous on our own. Only Jesus Christ’s work and love justify us and lead us to salvation—this is grace. Second, “Israel’s unbelief was essentially disobedience, yet God held out His hands to them all day long.” While we must examine our spiritual condition, we must never forget God’s patience and love. Though the gospel may sound simple, truly yielding to it in obedience is a significant challenge, one at which Israel failed. Yet God, who desires to save even this failing Israel, has made a way for us Gentiles as well.
Therefore, faith always begins with wholehearted submission to God. It is not achieved by keeping every detail of the Law; it is found in hearing the gospel, believing in Christ, and being justified by His righteousness. We then confess with our mouths and show that faith in our daily obedience. Romans 10 presents this process clearly, brimming with a hopeful message: “The Word is near us. If we open our ears to it, faith will grow, and we will be saved.” May we continually hear the gospel, examine ourselves, and walk the blessed path of being declared righteous by submitting to “the righteousness of God.” Moreover, may we boldly share this gracious gospel with our world so that those who have not heard—or who have heard but not yet opened their hearts—might receive this “good news” through our willing feet. Let us ponder this teaching deeply, praying that Paul’s passionate plea in Romans 10 will awaken each of our hearts as God’s living Word.