Romans 10:9-10 says “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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (NIV)
The apostle Paul, one of the most evangelistic figures of the New Testament, writes these two verses and gives his readers a simple, yet very comprehensive definition of true salvation in this passage. I’ve noticed these verses together are wrapped in a beautifully packaged gospel proclamation. The outside of the wrapper tells us by who and how we might be saved. Beneath the exterior shows how this salvation affects us overall.
First, notice the first and the last parts of these two verses. “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord” (NIV), and, “it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.” (NIV) This is a very important part of our salvation. If we are saved by God’s grace and do not say anything about it to anyone, how will anyone else come to know this wonderful gift of salvation. Have you ever said aloud, “Jesus is Lord”? Confessing Jesus as Lord verbally and wholeheartedly will change your life and the lives of those around you.
Next, let us concentrate on the middle part of the two verses; the heart of the passage if you will: “and you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified”. (NIV) Paul gives us a deeper meaning here. It’s not just a mere confession of a belief that Jesus existed, or just a surface level conviction. It is a belief from your heart in the salvation provided through the death, burial and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. It’s a total conviction, a complete turn away from sin and toward God in love with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength. Only if we believe in our heart do we see the response of justification from God.
If you are reading this, chances are you already know of the wonderful gift of God’s grace. The proof of our salvation is Jesus Christ in us. He was raised from the dead and He lives in our hearts today. So go and be a confessing Christian, telling people everywhere that Jesus is Lord. It could save someone’s life.
Maybe you are reading this and have never truly believed in your heart that Jesus is Lord. The reason you are reading this is that God is seeking to change your heart today. Jesus said in Luke 19:10 “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost.” (NIV) So let Him into your heart today and be saved. Go and tell someone you know and trust.
Weekly Challenge: Read Romans chapter 10 this week and discuss it with a friend.
