Who can receive God’s righteousness: (Everyone is invited): (10:11-13):
At this point Paul makes it clear that Salvation is for everyone. Everyone is invited to have the experience of salvation. The Jews and Greeks were quick to give credit to national and ethnic foundation, but Paul plays it down says it is for everyone. This is in accordance with the OT prophecies that “See I lay a stone in Zion a tested stone, a precious cornerstone for a sure foundation; the one who trusts will never be dismayed” (Isa.28:16; 9:33). It is so simple, but theologians make it very difficult for us. Paul reminds us of God’s impartiality. Just as it is written: “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ (6:23b). Again Paul reiterates what has been said by the prophet Joel: “And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Joel 2:32). Since there is no difference in condemnation for sinners, so also there is no difference of salvation for those who call upon Him. He may be a Jew or Gentile, a Greek or barbarian, of any colour, any background, any nation or whoever he may be. the Jews claiming their special righteousness of his own through the Law is declared to be as much a sinner as the Gentile and both are reserved for condemnation.
Again as it says: “everyone who calls on Him” calls for individual responsibility. God has already worked out a way for us, now it is the man’s responsibility to take a lead to call on Him.
Salvation comes by accepting Jesus Christ as Lord. The problem is that Paul’s own people are rejecting the message. He highlights this in (10:140 “How are they to call on one they have not believed in?” They have to call on the Lord to be saved, but if people think he is a crucified criminal instead of the Messiah, they won’t call on him.
How can one fulfil and present God’s righteousness: (10:14-17):
The verses (10:14-15) are frequently used as the basis for the church’s missionary program. It is true. But the first application is for the nation of Israel. Salvation comes by accepting Christ, but the Jews have rejected Christ as Lord. “How can they call on the one they have not believed in?” (10:14). Calling on the Lord for Jew includes setting aside the Law. But if people think He is just a crucified criminal instead of the Messiah, they won’t call on Him. The only way unbelieving Jews can be saved is by calling on the Lord. But before they can call on Him, they must believe. For the Jew, this meant believing that Jesus Christ of Nazareth truly is the Son of God and the Messiah of Israel. It also meant believing in His death and resurrection (Rom.10:9-10). But in order to believe, they must hear the Word, “Consequently faith comes hearing the message and the message is heard through the word of Christ” (Rom.10:17). The word must be proclaimed, so one must be sent. The Lord Jesus Christ came down into this world and gave the Word. The Lord arranges all of us to go to herald the message to the entire world.
In OT also we have seen Jonah was sent to Nineveh the capital of Assyria and again the prophet Nahum gives reference about the destruction of Assyria after almost 150 years later. God has warned even the heathen nation to turn away from their wickedness.
This meant that a herald of the Word must be sent, and it is the Lord who does the sending. At this point. Believing is based on hearing and hearing is based on someone preaching and how can they preach unless they are sent? In other words, preaching is not limited to just pulpit but we must go. So it is a chain reaction: We must go or send evangelist and missionaries. Preach the Gospel, people hear, they believe and call on the Lord Jesus Christ. The first step is either we go or send someone. So everyone who calls on His name will be saved. It is a free gift. So it is the duty of every believer to involve in the outreach work.
Ex. John Knox said: “Give me Scotland or I will die.” He was passionate and felt the urgency of Gospel proclamation. So God is calling you and me to take His message to be known in our community.
Apostle Paul once again quotes from OT “How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation” (Isa.52:7). The messenger announced in Judah that God had ended their exile in Babylon. God had defeated Israel’s enemies. The remedy for Israel is to hear the Gospel and believe on Him. In the same way, when we proclaim the Gospel, sinners bondage is ended. God says that the feet of those who bring good news are beautiful. It is a wonderful privilege to be able to share Gospel with others including cross cultural people for their salvation and peace. The peace here is peace with God. Although Paul applied this message to the Jews of his day, yet it is the need of the hour for our generation.
The consequences of rejecting God’s righteousness: (10:18-21):
All the Jews were looking for Messiah, but when Christ came and offered salvation, most of them have rejected Him. Someone might ask, that Jews were not given adequate opportunity to hear the Gospel. In those days, the message of the Gospel had gone out into every part of Jewish settlements and even among Gentiles. Many apostles went to Gentile countries viz. Mathew went to Africa (Ethiopia), Andrew to Greece, Bartholomew to Asia, Thomas to India, Apostle Jude to Persia. The Gospel was widely preached in Israel and also in the entire world. God offered the salvation to the Gentiles. Just as David spoke of God’s general revelation to the mankind in (Ps.19:4), where “their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.” Israel had ample opportunity to believe through God’s general revelation and special revelation. Further there is not a place in the promised Palestine, where the Gospel was not preached. As the celestial bodies have given testimony of the eternal power of God, the Gospel of Christ has borne testimony in every part of the world, again Habakkuk said: “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the water covers the sea” (Hab.2:14). In spite of all the provisions, Jews have rejected Christ. The fault entirely lies on them.