By Josh Mullins

Introduction: The Great Divide

Salvation is not a ladder we climb—it’s a gift we receive. Yet, many still live as if righteousness is something to be earned, a reward for good behavior, a spiritual wage for performance. They think that if they work hard enough, suffer long enough, and prove themselves worthy, then—and only then—will God accept them.

Paul demolishes that mindset in Romans 10:6-8. He tells us righteousness isn’t found by trying to bring Christ down from heaven or pulling Him up from the grave. Why? Because Christ has already come, already died, and already risen. The work is finished.

Yet, people still live as if Jesus needs their help to complete it. They say in their hearts, “If I just do better, try harder, pray more, suffer enough, then maybe God will approve of me.” But friend, that mindset dethrones Christ. It denies what He already accomplished.

The righteousness of faith doesn’t strive. It speaks.

1. The Dangerous Thinking That Dethrones Christ (Romans 10:6)

Paul warns against a mindset that asks, “Who will ascend into heaven?” That question may seem innocent, but it carries a dangerous assumption—that righteousness is something we must reach for.

This is the lie that has plagued mankind from the beginning: If I do enough, I can become enough. It’s the voice of the serpent in the garden whispering, You must become like God. It’s the cry of every religion that teaches salvation is earned through human effort.

But the Gospel is not a religion of self-improvement—it is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16). Jesus already came from heaven. He already fulfilled the Law. He already became our righteousness. The moment we try to earn what He freely gave, we declare that His sacrifice wasn’t enough.

It’s like a man stranded at sea, desperate for rescue. A lifeboat arrives, but instead of climbing in, he insists on swimming to shore himself, believing that unless he gets himself to safety, it doesn’t count.

That is the deception of self-righteousness—it refuses to receive what has already been provided.

2. The Tragedy of Self-Punishment (Romans 10:7)

Paul continues, “Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead).”

This speaks to another dangerous mindset—the belief that we still need to suffer for our sins.

Many Christians live as if God is still punishing them. They believe their sickness, their struggles, their hardships are divine consequences for past mistakes. Some even think that if they suffer enough, they can atone for their sins.

That is an insult to the cross.

Jesus went to hell for you (Ephesians 4:9). He bore the wrath for you. He paid the price so you wouldn’t have to. To believe you must still endure punishment for your sins is to say that Christ’s sacrifice was incomplete—that the blood of Jesus wasn’t enough.

It’s like a prisoner whose sentence has been fully paid, yet he insists on staying behind bars because he feels guilty.

If you think God is still holding your past against you, let me ask you this: When will it ever be enough? How much suffering is required before you believe Christ’s payment was sufficient?

The enemy wants you to live condemned. He wants you to believe that God is still mad at you, that you still have a price to pay. But here’s the truth: Jesus paid it all. You owe nothing.

3. The Word is Near You (Romans 10:8)

Paul tells us, “The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart.”

Salvation is not about reaching up to heaven or descending into the depths. It is not about our effort. It is not about our striving.

It is near.

It is in your mouth.

It is in your heart.

Think about it. If God required some monumental quest, some impossible pilgrimage to attain salvation, none of us could reach it. But in His mercy, He made it as simple as believing and speaking.

This is the heart of faith—it receives what Christ has already done.

The same way you received salvation is the same way you receive everything from God—by faith. Not by works, not by effort, not by trying harder. Jesus already purchased your healing, your provision, your breakthrough. Your job is not to earn it—it is to believe it and confess it.

Many people live as if their miracle is far away. They believe if they just prayed a little harder, fasted a little longer, cried a little louder, then maybe—maybe—God would answer.

But Paul says the Word is near. The answer is not in heaven, waiting to be pulled down. It is not in the depths, waiting to be discovered. It is in your mouth and in your heart. The moment you align your faith with God’s Word and speak what He has already promised, it manifests.

4. The Simplicity of Salvation (Romans 10:9-10)

We make salvation complicated. We act as if it’s a mountain we must climb, an exam we must pass, a prize we must earn.

But Paul makes it simple:

• Believe in your heart.

• Confess with your mouth.

• You will be saved.

That’s it. No rituals. No prerequisites. No waiting period. No proving yourself worthy.

The Pharisees hated this because it dismantled their religious system. They wanted to make salvation difficult. They wanted people to depend on their rules, their laws, their traditions.

But God made it simple.

Believe. Confess. Be saved.

Many people hesitate because they think, “It can’t be that easy.” They believe salvation requires more effort, more sacrifice, more suffering. But the truth is, Jesus already did the hard part. He lived the perfect life you couldn’t live. He bore the punishment you deserved. He fulfilled the Law in every way.

All that remains for you is to receive.

Conclusion: The Final Call

Faith speaks.

It doesn’t beg. It doesn’t strive. It doesn’t try to earn what has already been given. It receives.

Jesus has done it all. The only thing left is your response.

• Will you keep trying to earn what has already been provided?

• Will you keep punishing yourself for sins that have already been paid for?

• Or will you believe and confess what Christ has finished?

The righteousness of faith does not strive—it speaks.

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. Open your mouth, declare His truth, and walk in the righteousness that already belongs to you.