Listening & Learning — A Devotional
Lessons I Have Learned/Romans/Romans 10:11–15

Romans 10:11–15

Whosoever

Whosoever. Romans 10:11-15 V.11. As Paul presents the steps of salvation and the scope of the Gospel, he also emphasizes the universal offer of salvation. “Whosoever” leaves no one out as to the offer of salvation. God accepts the person who believes in the Lord Jesus Christ, who will not be put to shame by Him but will have the blessing of fellowship with Him. The Lord is the same toward Jews and Gentiles when He saves those who call upon Him in faith.

Some promote the idea that there is no way I have any responsibility when it comes to being justified by faith. They would teach that some are elected to be saved, and some are going to be lost because God did not choose them. Therefore, God has to take all the blessings or blame for whether one is saved or lost. There is a quotation from the Old Testament that the Spirit of God puts in place here as He applies the truth of the Gospel message, "Whosoever believeth on Him..." To the Jews, they would have known that meant the Messiah was coming. Now, it is used to refer to Jesus as Lord. These simple, powerful verses remove all excuses from any Jew as to who Jesus is and as to what God expected from them.

V.12-13. God's salvation is put out in the open as being available to "whosoever" without exception. The person who listens to the word of the Gospel, no matter who they are, will find that He is "Lord of all," and He is "rich unto all" who call upon Him in faith. That person is promised salvation by the Lord, who saves them now. There is authority in His name, and the offer of salvation goes out to "whosoever" or anyone who calls on Him. This saving message is to those who hear of salvation provided by the death of Christ on the cross and who will believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and the finished work of salvation. Nothing is added. It is to "whosoever" hears and believes. The Jews had to learn this the same as the Gentiles.

V.14. People can’t call on the Lord to save them without believing in Him. People can’t believe in Him if they haven’t heard about Him. People can’t hear about the Lord Jesus Christ and His saving grace if someone is unwilling to preach it. Those who declare the Gospel are to bring good news and have a message that both Jews and Gentiles have to hear. Preaching the Gospel is important because this is God’s way to reach souls who will call upon Him and believe in Him.

V.15. Preachers are not free-lancing people who can say whatever they want. They are sent by God, with God's message, to people God is going to save and they can plainly say to the listeners, "Whosoever will may come and take the water of life freely." They preach the "good tidings" as the "Gospel of peace." The law brought fear; the Gospel brings peace. The law brought the wrath of holy justice; the Gospel brings the good things of God and the joy that accompanies them.