Why Do You Obey?

(Romans 9:30-10:21)

Grace is not opposed to effort, it is opposed to earning

1. The Big Mistake People Make (9:30-33)

   1. What shall we say? Refer to 6:1; 9:14
   2. It does not seem to make sense! We think we obtain righteousness by effort, not by faith.
   3. Gentiles obtained righteousness without pursuing righteousness vs 30
   4. Israel attempted to obtain righteousness, but did not obtain it. vs 31
   5. What’s the difference between the two? Vs 32 - 33

2. Obedience without Christ is Zeal without direction (10:1-4)

   1. Paul repeats his desire for their salvation (9:3)
   2. The Jews were very religious, very committed, but to the wrong thing.
   3. Their zeal was not wrong, misplaced zeal is.
   4. Why? They are lost.
   5. Why are they lost vs 2, (lack knowledge)
   6. What knowledge do they lack? The righteousness of God
   7. Why do they lack it? They attempted to obtain righteousness by their own works. Vs 3
   8. They did not submit to God’s righteousness
   9. Righteousness is not achieved, it Is Received, Because Christ is the end of the law for righteousness.

3. Obedience Flows from Faith, Not Fear (10:5-21)

1. Moses wrote about righteousness based on the law vs 5
2. Then Moses speaks of the righteousness by faith (Deuteronomy 30:11-14) vs 6-8
3. Here is the words in the mouth of Faith vs.9
4. Explanation vs10 - 13
5. The process of hearing of faith vs 14-17 (reverse the order)
6. If you start from a place of love and security in Christ, obedience stops feeling like pressure and starts feeling like worship.
7. Israel had an extended chance to believe vs 18-21

Conclusion:

1. Check your why.
2. This week, when you pray, serve, resist temptation, or try to do the right thing - ask yourself: “Am I doing this to earn something from God, or because I already have everything in Christ?”
3. Let your obedience be answered echo of love, not a cry for approval.
4. You are not working for God’s favor, you are walking because of it.