OceanSide church of Christ

Read devotionals for July 2026

August 1, 2026

Romans 10:1 – Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is, that they might be saved.

Thought: Paul has spoken about his feelings toward the Jews, several times in this section of Romans. He yearned for their salvation. In this verse, he notes that their salvation was his “heart’s desire.” The heart of man is the mind of man. It involves such things as thinking, reasoning, will, and emotions. All of these aspects of Pauls’ mind longed for Israel to be saved. His heart also drove him to pray for them. Pray could do what Paul could not.

1 Corinthians 9:20

August 2, 2026

Romans 10:2, 3 – For I bear them record that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they, being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

Thought: The Jews were a very sincere people. Paul proclaimed that they practiced their religion with zeal. However, they lack knowledge, that is, the knowledge of the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Righteousness was found in Christ. The Jews rejected that righteousness and attempted to establish their own righteousness through keeping the law. This kept them from submitting to the righteousness of God. This caused them to be lost.

Proverbs 19:2-3

August 3, 2026

Romans 10:4 – For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

Thought: The word “end” in this verse has two definitions. One definition is “conclusion.” The other definition is “termination.” Christ fulfills both definitions. The Law of Moses, the Psalms, and the Prophets anticipated the Christ. He was the conclusion to which all of them pointed. Too, Christ fulfilled the law, abolished it at the cross of Calvary, and delivered the righteousness of God to man. Christ terminated Judaism. Christ instituted Christianity.

Galatians 3:18-25

August 4, 2026

Romans 10:5 – For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.

Thought: Under the Law of Moses, the way for a man to be righteous was to keep the law perfectly. When the individual transgressed a commandment, however, he ceased to be righteous. Too, the law did not provide a way for a man to regain his righteousness. There was no way to be cleansed of his sins. Even the animal sacrifices found in the law did not remove sin. Jesus was the only man to obtain the righteousness found in the Law.

Leviticus 18:5

August 5, 2026

Romans 10:6, 7 – But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)

Thought: The righteousness which is of faith in contrast to the righteousness of the law existed even as Paul wrote this epistle. It was not necessary to bring Christ down from above. He had already been manifested in the flesh. It was not necessary for Him to be raised from the dead. His death, burial, and resurrection had been accomplished. The key now was to believe the testimony regarding Him, testimony found in the gospel.

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

August 6, 2026

Romans 10:8 – But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach.

Thought: Notice Paul now focuses on the Word, specifically “the word of faith, which we preach.” This word reveals how men can be righteous before God. Here, Paul returns to the theme of the book of Romans. In Romans 1:17, he had told his readers that righteousness is found in the gospel. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed…” This word produces faith liken unto the faith of Abraham. It also reveals absolute forgiveness.

1 Peter 1:22-23

August 7, 2026

Romans 10:9 – That is thou shalt confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Thought: Paul has established that righteousness comes through faith in Jesus Christ. Because salvation is by faith, many teach that salvation is by faith only. Paul destroys the “faith only” doctrine in this verse. He notes that confession with one’s mouth and belief in one’s heart are essential to salvation. He also notes a point that demolishes the thief on the cross argument. Did the thief believe Jesus was raised from the dead? Absolutely not!

Matthew 10:32-33

August 8, 2026

Romans 10:10 – For the with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Thought: Paul continues to elaborate upon his words from verse 9. He affirms that belief and confession are essential conditions of salvation. There is a word that is important in this verse. It is the word “unto.” Man believes “unto” righteousness. Confession is made “unto” salvation. These are essential in getting to the point of salvation. Neither condition puts one “into” salvation. Baptism is the final step that puts one into Christ where salvation is found.

Galatians 3:26-27

August 9, 2026

Romans 10:11 – For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Thought: Did Paul make confession of Jesus’ name and belief in the Christ essential elements of salvation? Yes he did. Then, he quoted a passage that established his affirmation. “For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” The quote is from Isaiah 28:16. Paul knew that belief includes actions other than just mental assent. He understood that obedience to God’s commands does not contradict faith.

Acts 10:35

August 10, 2026

Romans 10:12, 13 – For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Thought: God’s plan of salvation under the New Covenant is the same for both Jews and Gentiles. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” This call is not a simple affirmation that one believes Jesus is the Son of God. Calling on the name of the Lord involves obedience to all the requirements God has given for savation. Paul affirms that the Lord “is rich unto all that call upon him.” Note: We cannot fathom God’s riches.

Acts 2:21, 37-38

August 11, 2026

Romans 10:14 – How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?

Thought: Paul notes some the essential things needed before a person can call upon the name of the Lord. He must believe, hear, and have a preacher speak the message to be heard. What is interesting in this verse is that Paul separates belief from calling on the name of the Lord. The two actions are different. Sadly, the denominational world assert that they are the same act. Not so. Calling on the name of the Lord involves the act of baptism.

Acts 22:16

August 12, 2026

Romans 10:15 – And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

Thought: Another essential that enables individuals to call on the name of the Lord is for preachers to be sent into the world. Christians must be willing to support those who are willing to take the message to the lost. Those who go have beautiful feet. This is because of the mission they have assumed. They preach the good news of peace, especially peace with God. They bring glad tidings of good things, especially the forgiveness through Jesus’ blood.

Isaiah 52:7