Romans 10:4 – “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone that believes”.
My friend and me were texting back and forth, and were about to wrap it up when he texted, “10-4”. Remember that phrase? Haven’t heard it in a while. For those of you who are not familiar with the “ten-codes”, they are code words to represent common phrases that were used in voice communication, particularly in law enforcement and in CB radio transmissions. When someone asked “What’s your 10-20?”, they wanted them to “state your location”. When someone said “10-4”, they were saying “message received”.
In Romans “10:4”, Paul is speaking to the Christians in Rome, and he says, “Christ is the end of the law”. When Christ came, it marked the end of the dispensation of the law, or the “allowance” of the law. John 1:17 says, “For the law came by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ”. In other words, the law was in effect from the time of Moses until Jesus. Luke 16:16 says, “The law and the prophets were until John, since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presses into it”.
The law meant obedience to rules and regulations. If you missed one law, you were guilty of the whole law. God loves us so much that He needed a covenant that would bless His people. Grace is unmerited favor, it’s a system that blesses His people, so when Christ came, He said, “10-4”, over and out, no more law! Christ is the end of the law and the beginning of righteousness. We were made righteous through Jesus Christ. “Blessed is the man who God imputes righteousness apart from works.” Romans 4:6. Praise God! In this new covenant of grace, God credits righteousness to every believer and it’s not based on any works, it’s a gift.
Romans 10:4 finishes with “to everyone that believes”. It’s for every single believer in Christ. It cannot be earned. It’s free! So “10-4” is a “message received” that the law is ended and grace has begun, “over and out”! In your salvation, the second you accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, you were given divine health, supernatural prosperity, well-being for every area of your life, deliverance from sin, eternal life, and so much more. You are deeply love, highly favored and greatly blessed! It’s already yours. Now simply RECEIVE! Receive the message of grace by shouting a big 10-4…message received, over and out!