Romans 10:5-13: The Near and Universal Call of the Gospel

Romans 10:8-9.. "“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 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."

In this brief and well-known section of scripture, Paul is arguing that the Gospel, that is, the opportunity of salvation, is both near and universal.

The Gospel is near because it does not take works to obtain. We do not have to "ascend into heaven" or "descend into the abyss" (Romans 10:6-7) to obtain salvation, we can simply stay right where we are and respond in faith. Paul puts it this way (and puts it beautifully, might I add) in Acts 17:27: "He [God] is actually not far from each one of us."**

The Gospel is universal* because it is open to "everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord" (Romans 10:13). This point is so important to Paul that he explains it in three different ways throughout this small section of scirpture. First, he states that "if you [implying that "you" can be anyone] confess with your mouth...and believe in your heart...you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) Secondly, he points out that "everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame." (Romans 10:11). Thirdly he quotes Joel 2:32: "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." The Gospel is open to all.

Notice the placement of this doctrine: directly after Paul has explained the doctrine of election. Hmmm. It as almost as if he is trying to point out how human responsibility and God's sovereignty do not disqualify eachother. Surely he is, and surely he has placed this scripture the exact place that he has for a reason.

So, what is your view of the Gospel? Do you believe that it is far away, and that one must jump through hoops to obtain it? Or, do you believe that it is only for specific people (maybe those of a specific race, background, or cirumstance)? If either of your answers to these questions are "yes," then you have misunderstood the Gospel.

The Gospel is near. The Gospel is universal. Praise the Lord.

*Obviously, I am not arguing for universalism (the heretical doctrine that all people are saved). Salvation is not for all, but surely the opportunity of salvation is for all. If you don't like referring to the Gospel as "universal" and would like to argue semantics, feel free to start your own blog.

**Food for thought: Is it not amazing that God is not far from each of us? So often we think that in order to be saved one must cross leaps and bounds. However, this is not the Gospel. The Gospel is that everyone is "just one step away" (to quote a contemporary Christian song) from salvation, and that step is faith.