For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them. (6) 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:) (7) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) (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; (9) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (10) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (11) For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) 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. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Nothing can be more beautiful than this short, but blessed description, of the difference between the law righteousness, and the Gospel righteousness, as they concern the Church of God. Both are alike called God's righteousness, because both are from God. But the one was never given in a way of justification before God, for by the deeds of the law no flesh could be justified in his sight. And it was intended only to minister to the other, in whom alone, as holding forth the Person and work of Christ, all the seed of Israel were to be justified, Isaiah 45:25
I do not think it necessary to dwell in this place on the subject, having so largely considered it in the third and fourth Chapter s of this same Epistle. I would refer the Reader to those scriptures. And, added to what is there said, I would just remark, that the expressions here made use of by the Apostle, of confession with the mouth, and belief in the heart, very decidedly shew, that Paul considered those principles as living principles, not floating merely in the understanding, but influencing the mind and conscience. Head knowledge, void of heart influence, is the bane of the present day. Thousands, it is to be feared, are resting in a name to believe, while virtually dead before God. Paul saith, it is with the heart (not the head) man believeth unto righteousness. And elsewhere he prayed for the Church, that Christ might dwell in their hearts by faith, Ephesians 3:17. There are two or three grand points of distinction, which mark grace in the heart from knowledge merely in the head; which the Reader would do well to attend to. First. In every soul truly regenerated, there is an heart-felt acquaintance with the Person, and work, and glory of Christ. Jesus himself explains it, in calling it, seeing the Son, and believing on him: John 6:40, that is, such a sight by faith, as can, and doth depend upon him for life and salvation. God the Holy Ghost, who convinceth of sin, convinceth also of Jesus, and his all-sufficient righteousness; and inclines the heart to believe, as Paul here expresseth it, unto righteousness. Secondly, In every child of God, thus taught of God to know Christ, who he is, and to believe in him for salvation; there will be also, an heart-felt enjoyment of him, and his finished work, as the only desired means of salvation. This remedy for the recovery from the Adam - nature of sin, is beheld and accepted with holy joy and thanksgiving, as God's own providing, and made use of accordingly. With the heart man believeth unto righteousness. The affections are all in it. The soul is won to Christ, and the soul wins Christ, and desires to be found in him. Hence that sweet promise of Jesus is enjoyed, and the soul made happy in durable riches, and righteousness, Proverbs 8:17-21. And thirdly, to add no more. In every soul truly regenerated, there will be a daily coming to Christ, an entire leaning upon Christ, a full cleaving to Christ, as the Church of old is described, coming up out of the wilderness, Song of Solomon 8:5; Ephesians 1:1; Psalms 89:16; John 15:5. Reader! what saith your experience to those statements? These are heart-feelings, soul-enjoyments, which differ as widely from head knowledge unaccompanied by grace, as the sight of food, doth from partaking of it. Oh! the blessedness of knowing and enjoying Christ! With the heart man believeth unto righteousness.