Romans 10:5-7 - Law vs. Faith

5 For Moses writes that the man who practices the righteousness which is based on law shall live by that righteousness.
6 But the righteousness based on faith speaks as follows: "DO NOT SAY IN YOUR HEART, 'WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?' (that is, to bring Christ down),
7 or 'WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?' (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead)."

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Who Will Go Into Heaven for Us? Who Will Go Into Hell for Us?

V. 5 - “righteousness which is based on law” - See: Lev. 18:5. A theme repeated in the Old Testament, as seen in Neh. 18:5; and Eze. 20:11, 13, 21. A man who keeps and obeys God’s statutes and judgements will live.

V. 6-7 - “righteousness based on faith speaks” - People who really do not know or understand God will say, “Where will we find God? Where will we find salvation?” Or, “We will go on a quest! We will search high and low for someone to save us. We will search the heavens! We will go to the depths of the sea!” The person of faith understands the salvation from God is not hidden, it is not a secret for only a select few.

“WHO WILL ASCEND INTO HEAVEN?” - Quote from: Deut. 30:11-15. “This command that I give you today is certainly not too difficult or beyond your reach. It is not in heaven so that you have to ask, ‘Who will go up to heaven, get it for us, and proclaim it to us so that we may follow it?’  And it is not across the sea so that you have to ask, ‘Who will cross the sea, get it for us, and proclaim it to us so that we may follow it?’ But the message is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, so that you may follow it. See, today I have set before you life and prosperity, death and adversity."
Jesus is not hiding in heaven, to be coaxed to come save us. We don’t need to go there to get His attention, to remind Him that He needs to save us. He’s there with the Father advocating for us. 

“WHO WILL DESCEND INTO THE ABYSS?” - This is similar to a verse in Job 28:14. “The ocean depths say, ‘It’s not in me,’ while the sea declares, ‘I don’t have it.’ ” Jesus is not held captive by a superior being in Hell, and needing one of us to set Him free.

He is Risen! He is Risen indeed! He has defeated death. He has defeated the grave.

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