11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.”
11 For the Scripture says,
Paul partially quoted Isaiah 28:16 here (also cited in 9:33). The Old Testament taught the same doctrine as Paul about how to receive eternal life. The “Lord” of Joel is the same Lord Jesus Christ (Ac 2:21).
“Whoever
The principle of the universality of the offer of salvation is true for both Jews and Gentiles (v. 12).
believes on Him
Faith does not give eternal life by being strong or weak. Any trust in Christ saves the soul. The important factor is the object of our faith—the Lord Jesus Christ. The legalistic spirit that requires something more is not biblical. We come as we are and put our confidence in Christ, not in ourselves.
will not be put to shame [disgraced].”
On the Day of Assessment, God will vindicate anyone who trusts Christ for salvation. Our hope in Christ will not be disappointed. All men have some hope but not the hope of trust in Christ for salvation. Men hope in falsehoods. They will be ashamed at the Great White Throne Judgment for unbelievers.
Ro 5:5, Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
PRINCIPLE:
Our confession on earth will lead to God’s confession of us in heaven.
APPLICATION:
The Christian’s hope will never be disappointed. Those without Christ will be disgraced in eternity. They will face utter humiliation before God Himself. They will attempt to stand before God with their charity, honesty, and general goodness, but God will say that is not enough. God will one day summon all non-believers to His high court and demand that they should have been saved on the basis of His righteousness, not their righteousness.
Faith and confession are two sides of the same coin. All who believe have a guarantee from God that eternity is before them. They will not face disgrace before God.
Da 12:2, And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.
There is both improper and proper shame. Improper shame is to carry personal shame due to poverty and then compensate for that shame by living above one’s means. That is shameful shame.
Biblical shame is to acknowledge sin and faults in one’s character, which will lead to repentance. Those of us whose sins are washed away will have no shame when we stand before God.
There will come a day when God will divest all men of their pretense. He will strip them naked, exposing all their sham and deception. They will no longer be able to parade their artificial self-deception in which they wrap themselves.
