Thanks for this, however the context is a little more complex than what you state.
Christ has set us the example, and given us his Spirit to understand his way of life, and how to live a life of righteousness, for as you quote in Romans: "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
What does "believe unto righteousness" mean? It means we must do righteousness, not just "accept Christ" and nothing else is necessary.
1Cor 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Accepting Christ means to follow him, and live the life that he expects us to live as he lived. Ok, we won't do it perfectly, but we will learn and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. (2Peter 3:18)
Indeed: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”. (1John 1:8) Similarly: Who can say, I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin? (Prov 20:9)
Yet we must yield to God's way of life, and this is a lifetime’s work. It’s a process of change, not a one-off event of just accepting Christ and that's it.
In order to be in agreement with God’s way of life, we need to change from having sin guide our lives and overcome sin in our lives. We do this by living the life of Christ in us, by following his example as best we can.
Part of this change is having God’s Spirit guiding us. The Spirit is available to us once God calls us to be part of his family. We must then put in the effort to search and seek and apply our heart and mind, guided by his Spirit, to find wisdom through his written word.
When we follow his word, and the promptings of his Spirit, then we will be directing our heart appropriately. Then, with God’s help, we will gain wisdom, and live a life of righteousness to reflect his truth to the world through our actions. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. " (Matt 5:14-16)
We are to be conformed to the image of His Son… (Rom 8:29) The purpose of our life is to overcome this world by his love, and to be transformed into the spiritual image of God: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove (demonstrate) by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:2)
The Lord delights in us, if we choose his way of righteousness: "such as are upright (righteous) in their way are his delight." (Prov 11:20) Righteousness leads to eternal life: "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." (Prov 12:28)
While we first need to be forgiven of our sins, we also need to repent of them and also be encouraged that we can, and indeed must, live a life of righteousness after we have been forgiven.
"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." (2Peter 3:13-14)
Certainly we must live a life of righteousness, and it's not merely limited to just "accepting Christ" - as you mentioned.
Paul is trying to urge his fellow Jewish countrymen to turn from a system of self-justification to justification in Christ - for they could never justify themselves. He calls them to turn to God for His righteousness, rather than try establish their own righteous - which they could never do.
Thanks for this, however the context is a little more complex than what you state.
Christ has set us the example, and given us his Spirit to understand his way of life, and how to live a life of righteousness, for as you quote in Romans: "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
What does "believe unto righteousness" mean? It means we must do righteousness, not just "accept Christ" and nothing else is necessary.
1Cor 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Accepting Christ means to follow him, and live the life that he expects us to live as he lived. Ok, we won't do it perfectly, but we will learn and grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. (2Peter 3:18)
Indeed: “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us”. (1John 1:8) Similarly: Who can say, I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin? (Prov 20:9)
Yet we must yield to God's way of life, and this is a lifetime’s work. It’s a process of change, not a one-off event of just accepting Christ and that's it.
In order to be in agreement with God’s way of life, we need to change from having sin guide our lives and overcome sin in our lives. We do this by living the life of Christ in us, by following his example as best we can.
Part of this change is having God’s Spirit guiding us. The Spirit is available to us once God calls us to be part of his family. We must then put in the effort to search and seek and apply our heart and mind, guided by his Spirit, to find wisdom through his written word.
When we follow his word, and the promptings of his Spirit, then we will be directing our heart appropriately. Then, with God’s help, we will gain wisdom, and live a life of righteousness to reflect his truth to the world through our actions. "Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in Heaven. " (Matt 5:14-16)
We are to be conformed to the image of His Son… (Rom 8:29) The purpose of our life is to overcome this world by his love, and to be transformed into the spiritual image of God: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, in order to prove (demonstrate) by you what is that good and pleasing and perfect will of God. (Rom 12:2)
The Lord delights in us, if we choose his way of righteousness: "such as are upright (righteous) in their way are his delight." (Prov 11:20) Righteousness leads to eternal life: "In the way of righteousness is life; and in the pathway thereof there is no death." (Prov 12:28)
While we first need to be forgiven of our sins, we also need to repent of them and also be encouraged that we can, and indeed must, live a life of righteousness after we have been forgiven.
"Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness. Wherefore, beloved, seeing that ye look for such things, be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless." (2Peter 3:13-14)
Certainly we must live a life of righteousness, and it's not merely limited to just "accepting Christ" - as you mentioned.
Paul is trying to urge his fellow Jewish countrymen to turn from a system of self-justification to justification in Christ - for they could never justify themselves. He calls them to turn to God for His righteousness, rather than try establish their own righteous - which they could never do.
You are right... it's about trusting... not trying!