Daily Word

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. But righteousness based on faith says, “Do not say in your heart, who will ascend into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down) or “Who will descend into the abyss?” (that is to bring Christ up from the dead. 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). Romans 10:5-8. Paul quotes Lev.18:5 regarding the righteousness that is based on the law, to show that those who keep the law will attain life. But as Paul has already shown, life will not come in this way since all violate the law. Paul then quotes Deut. 30:12-14 to show the contrast between the righteousness based on faith and the righteousness based on the law. The righteousness based on faith reinterprets these OT statements and sees them now fulfilled in Christ. There is no need to travel to heaven to bring Christ to earth, for God has already sent Him into the world. Nor should anyone think they must bring Christ up from the realm of the dead, for God has raised Christ from the dead. What God requires is not superhuman works but faith in the gospel Paul preaches. Do you base your righteousness on the law and “works” or on faith?