The beauty of the book of Romans is that it shows us just how easy it is to obtain salvation.  Under the old law, it was all but impossible.  So much so that only one man in the history of mankind ever met its requirement, that, of course, being our Lord, Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 Pet 2:22; 1 John 3:5).

The new covenant that God has made with His people is much different.  Under it, salvation is easily attained.  Paul reveals this contrast between the old and new covenants in Romans 10.

Romans 10:5 (ESV)
⁵  For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them.

In referring to doing the commandments, Paul is speaking of a perfect performance of the law.  That is what the law demanded—sinless perfection.  Would you want to rest your salvation on such a law?  Of course not, but that is just what the majority of Jews were doing in Paul’s day.  Paul now shows them a better way.

Romans 10:6-7 (ESV)
⁶  But the righteousness based on faith says, “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).

Paul is quoting Deuteronomy 30:12-13 and taking the principle that is taught there and applying it spiritually.  Moses was telling the Jews that all they had to do to choose life and longevity in the land that God was giving them was to obey His commandments.  That was very much attainable.  God was not requiring them to do the impossible, but, rather, just to be faithful.  Under the law of Christ, the salvation of the soul is just as attainable.  Again, to be saved we do not have to do the impossible.  What do we have to do?  Paul tells us.

Romans 10:8-10 (ESV)
⁸  But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); ⁹  because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. ¹⁰  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

Paul is not revealing every detail of God’s plan of salvation here (no mention of repentance or baptism), but instead is simply contrasting being saved by the meritorious works of the law and the word of faith, for “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame” (ver. 11).  How is this saving faith acquired?  Again, Paul tells us.

Romans 10:17 (ESV)
¹⁷  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

This is the simplicity of being saved by Christ.  You do not have to live a sinless life, though refraining from sin is always a top priority for a Christian (1 John 2:1).  All you have to do is believe in Jesus, accepting Him by calling on His name (Romans 10:14), which involves obeying the gospel (Romans 1:16).  There is nothing hard about it.  God made it simple, but He is not going to act for you.  You must save yourselves from this untoward generation (Acts 2:41).

As you wind down for the night, think about these things