True Christian Belief
Three Points on the Path of Salvation
Aaron Lee | Romans 10:4-13 | FCBCW Youth Worship | July 13, 2025
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6)
Introduction
What do you believe? Do you believe that you just have to try your best to be a good person and you will go to Heaven? Do you believe that you just have to know the right facts about God and Jesus and Christianity and you will go to Heaven? Do you believe that there are multiple ways to get to Heaven, and Christianity is just one of the ways? What do you believe?
There are many ways we come to believe things. We believe things because our parents tell us. We believe things because our teachers tell us. Or our friends. Or celebrities. I had the privilege of coming to church for my entire life. It’s one of the greatest blessings that my parents gave me. But there was a point where I had to think hard about what I believed, why I believed, and if it was actually true. If it was actually correct. Because if Christianity was wrong, my entire life would be a waste. And at worst – I would not know if there was a way to be saved.
Context
In our passage today, Paul begins by saying that his Jewish kinsmen have zeal for God, they are passionate and trying hard, but not according to knowledge – meaning they do not have the correct beliefs (Romans 10:1-2). They failed to see and believe that Jesus was the goal of the law all along. The law, all the rules and commandments and requirements of God, was supposed to lead them to Jesus, but they were ignorant and attempted to be good enough on their own (Romans 10:3). Paul wants to show us what to believe about the correct way of salvation, how the law leads to life in Christ, our road to righteousness, our path of salvation:
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4)
Sermon Preview
We’re going to see three points on this path of salvation:
Salvation in Christ is not by our works
Salvation in Christ is by faith in his righteousness
Salvation in Christ is because of God’s sovereign grace
1. Salvation in Christ is not by our works
The first point on our path of salvation is that salvation in Christ is not by our works.
5 For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6 But the righteousness based on 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). (Romans 10:5-7)
Explanation
You must believe that you cannot save yourself – only God can save you.
Paul compares and contrasts two types of righteousnesses. Paul begins with Moses and the law, fundamental to the Jews. He’s quoting Leviticus 18:5, a basic text to our belief: If you obey God’s rules, you will live – if you disobey, you will die. Paul has previously said in Romans that this is impossible, to obey God perfectly, you cannot work your way to salvation, so Paul brings in another quote, this time from Deuteronomy 30:11–14. This text says that it is not impossible to obey God. It’s not too hard for you, it’s not far off from your reach. It’s not so high up in the heavens, and it’s not so deep in the sea. Paul is not contradicted here, and the reason why Paul brings in this quote is because it is in the context of Deuteronomy 30:6, where God says he will give a new heart. It is not hard for those who have a new heart to obey God, and it rests in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ.
Paul brings Jesus into the conversation because he is the culmination of the law, he is the fulfillment, the end goal of it all. Those who are saved find salvation not in their work, but in the work of Christ. They do not say “I can ascend to heaven and bring about my salvation.” That would be like saying you could send Christ down from Heaven yourself to save you. And they do not say “I can travel far over the sea, I can go through the depths of the sea myself to reach salvation.” That would be like saying you could resurrect Christ from the grave yourself to save you. No. All this, salvation, is not done by humans. It is impossible. God sent his son. God raised him from the dead. And God must give you and me a new heart that trusts in the incarnation, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
Application
So, will you stop striving for salvation? It’s not enough to try your best to be a good person and then you will get into Heaven. You must understand that no matter how hard you try, you will never be good enough. You will always come up short. We have to come to terms with ourselves and our humanness.
Asian Americans tend to emphasize serving, and this is apparent in our Christian circles. We want to be recognized for doing good work and we want to contribute something of worth. These are not bad things. But we must not see our work as equaling our worth in the eyes of God. We must be aware of how we think: “That person does a lot for the church.” “That person is really valuable to the work of the kingdom.” My brothers and sisters, we are more than what we do. Don’t strive for your salvation – and don’t talk or think as if we should. Instead, let’s acknowledge and affirm each other for who we are: People created in the image of God. “I’m just glad that you’re here today.” “I’m grateful to know you.” Know that God sees, knows, and loves us for who we are in him – not for what we do for him.
2. Salvation in Christ is by faith in his righteousness
The second point on our path of salvation is that salvation in Christ is by faith in his righteousness.
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if 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. 10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:8-10)
Explanation
You must believe in your heart about Jesus – that he is Lord and that he resurrected after having died on the cross for your sins.
Paul continues his quote of Deuteronomy 30:11–14. He says that the word of salvation is not far – like in heaven or in or across the sea. It is near at hand and accessible to us. Salvation is found in faith. We just heard Paul say that it is not hard for those who have a new heart to obey God, and it rests in the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ. You must believe in Jesus to be saved. Paul gives a pair of important tentpoles regarding what we must believe about Jesus to be saved. Believing that Jesus is Lord means that you acknowledge him as God and that he is over and above all things, including your life – and you submit to him, worship him, and live for him. Believing that God raised Jesus from the dead means that you trust that he is the Son of God who died on the cross for your sins, and that his sacrifice was perfect and acceptable to God and effective for you to be saved.
This belief does not happen in your head, but in your heart. What Paul means by resting in Christ’s righteousness is that there is a total commitment, total trust in Jesus. True saving faith is a total trust in Jesus. This is what you must believe. And he explains that it is possible to do this, and to see it, in what you believe and what you confess. You believe with your heart, and you confess with your mouth. We know that Paul does not see these as two separate pieces, the mouth and the heart, because Jesus himself did not. In Matthew 15:7-9, Jesus quoted Isaiah by saying that “This people honors me with their lips, but their heart is far from me.” So Paul shows that true saving faith is actually both the belief and confession. And this means that confession is not only in what you say, but what you do. True saving faith is a total trust in Jesus.
Application
So, will you give yourself to total trust in Jesus? It’s not enough to just know the right facts about God and Jesus and Christianity – knowing the right answers will not get you into Heaven. Knowledge is not enough. Believing takes place in the heart, convicted and motivated and changed for Christ – and then it overflows into your actions. Faith is inward to outward.
Jesus gives two illustrations of people who have outward actions but not inward belief. In Matthew 23:26-28, he says that the Scribes and Pharisees clean the outside of the cup but inside are full of greed and self-indulgence. He says that they clean up their actions but inside they are motivated by their sinful selves. And he says that the Scribes and Pharisees are white-washed tombs but inside are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanliness. He says that they appear to be clean for people passing by but on the inside they are dirty, full of death and decay. It’s like you change your clothes but you don’t shower. It’s like you chew gum and take breath mints but you don’t brush your teeth. It’s worth mentioning that the Scribes and Pharisees knew their Bible and were the religious leaders of their day. So this is a particular warning for those of us who preach and teach the Bible or have leadership positions. Our hearts must be holy. A holistic faith.
3. Salvation in Christ is given by God’s sovereign grace
The third point on our path of salvation is that salvation in Christ is given by God’s sovereign grace.
11 For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13)
Explanation
You must believe that the message of salvation is offered to all – and those who cry out and depend on Jesus are spared from judgment and receive eternal riches and rewards.
In this section, Paul quotes Isaiah 28:16 and Joel 2:32 to show what only Jesus can save us from. In their original context, these verses were about God’s judgment, whether from exile or in the end times, and Paul pushes it here to say that God saves sinners from judgment and Hell. In regards to Isaiah, Paul furthers that there will be no shame for believers on that day because they will not be found guilty for their sins because they have been saved. They will not be humiliated for their beliefs, but they will be honored by God.
In regards to Joel, Paul positions Jesus as the Lord God. Joel originally said that “among the survivors shall be those whom the Lord calls.” Whether Jew or Gentile, sovereign grace means that God can choose anyone he wants to save. The Jews did not believe that God would save the Gentiles. But God gives his grace to anyone that comes to Christ – Jew or Gentile. And God’s grace gives salvation and all of the riches, blessings, and benefits that come with it. Believe and call on Jesus to be saved.
Application
So, will you embrace Jesus as exclusive to salvation? There are not multiple ways to get to Heaven, and Christianity is just one of the ways. No, belief in Jesus is the only way to God, Heaven, and eternal life. I want to apply this concept of embracing Jesus as exclusive to salvation in several ways.
The passage talks about not being put to shame on the day of judgment. It’s true that Christians experience some shame today. The world mocks our beliefs. They mock our Savior. This was true when Jesus was here on earth and it will be true until he returns. But we do not have to necessarily feel shame for what we believe. We do not have to feel sorry about our faith. Apologetics is important to show that our belief is reasonable and rational. This should motivate us to spend more time in the Bible, be able to articulate and defend what we believe. Perhaps God would open the eyes of those who shame us so they may see the glory of God. Embracing Jesus as exclusive to salvation means that we don’t shrink away from him when we face suffering. We hold on to him in hope. There was a tragedy in Texas last week where young girls at a Christian camp died in flash floods. We keep confident that God is in control, and that he is close to the brokenhearted. God hears our cries, and Christ is our comfort. I’ve talked before about the unity we must have with believers. Embracing Jesus as exclusive to salvation means that you and I are on the same team. We put aside our differences and learn to love each other and serve together for the sake of the gospel and the furthering of the kingdom.
Big Idea
True Christian belief is that salvation is not by our works but through faith in the righteousness of Jesus given by God’s sovereign grace.
The Gospel
This whole sermon has been about belief, and after hearing it I hope this famous verse hits you differently than it did before:
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Conclusion
What do you believe? It’s actually really important to know what and why you believe. The Bible is a book to tell us that what we believe actually matters. The Holy Spirit illuminates God’s Word to us to show us that it is the truth. Growing up, I realized that my faith had a foundation. I really did believe the Bible. I pray that you will ground your beliefs in God’s Word:
Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name. (John 20:30-31)
To Trust and to Believe
Once upon a time
In Galilee there was
A man whose name was Jesus
He said he was God's son
He did amazing miracles
Turned water into wine
He made the lame to walk again
Cast demons into swine
While some would learn to love him
Others hated what they saw
For Jesus said he came to end
And culminate the law
He said, “You cannot save yourselves
You cannot work your way
But God will give a new heart
To listen and obey.”
And so they crucified him
They nailed him to a cross
Along with all our sins
God would forgive and save the lost
They laid him in a tomb
For three days he was dead
But then on Sunday morning
Our Lord would resurrect
His righteousness is ours
His life is ours to live
And everyone who wants to come
He won’t withhold — he gives
So open up your eyes
Awake from worldly sleep
For from the heart, your faith will start
To trust and to believe
References
Romans: Reformed Expository Commentary by Daniel M. Doriani
The ESV Study Bible by Crossway
The Gospel Coalition Bible Commentary on Romans by Donny Ray Mathis II
Discussion Questions
How did you come your beliefs? Was it from family, church, culture, or somewhere else?
How can Christians sometimes fall into the trap of trying to “earn” God’s approval through service, even after being saved by grace? How can we guard against that?
In what ways can your life “confess” that Jesus is Lord outside of just what you say?
Do you ever struggle with the idea that Jesus is the only way to salvation? Why might that be hard for some people to accept?
How can the promise that “everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame” encourage you?
After hearing this sermon, how does John 3:16 hit you differently than before? What stands out about “whoever believes in him”?
Do you find it hard to ground your beliefs in the Bible?