27 August 2025
“Since Moses writes about the righteousness that is from the law: The one who does these things will live by them. But the righteousness that comes from faith speaks like this: Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ that is, to bring Christ down or, ‘Who will go down into the abyss?’ that is, to bring Christ up from the dead. On the contrary, what does it say? The message is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. This is the message of faith that we proclaim: If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.”
Mark explained, “Moses wrote that the one who does the law will live by it. But no one has kept the law perfectly. The law demands perfection, and perfection is beyond our reach.” The law shows us our need. It does not give us life. That is why the gospel is such good news.
Paul says the gospel is near. Mark said, “The righteousness from faith does not demand impossible journeys into heaven or into the grave. The message is not far away. It is here. It is near. It is proclaimed.” Christ has already come down. Christ has already risen. There is nothing left to achieve.
Mark pressed this home: “Salvation is not achieved by striving, it is confessed by faith. The mouth confesses that Jesus is Lord. The heart believes that God raised Him from the dead. That is the simple message.” Salvation is received, not earned. It is declared, not performed.
This is liberating for busy lives weighed down by guilt or pressure. You may try to prove yourself at work, at home, or even before God. But the gospel cuts through the noise. Believe. Confess. Trust in the risen Lord. Mark reminded us, “Faith receives what striving cannot earn.”
Teach this to your children too. Let them say aloud, “Jesus is Lord.” Show them that these are not magic words, but the language of trust. Help them see that salvation is not a prize for achievement, but a gift for those who believe.
Question: Do you sometimes make the gospel harder than it really is?
Prayer:
Lord, thank You that salvation is near. Keep me from complicating the gospel. Help me to believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is Lord. Amen.
This devotional content is not penned by the preacher. It is derived from the sermon notes. We aim to provide bite-sized reflections throughout the week for devotion and reflection.