Believe In Jesus (Romans 10:9)
Confess With Your Mouth And Believe In Jesus
Romans 10:9 states, “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.”
Is it enough to simply believe that Jesus walked the earth? Does belief in Him demand more than that?
This verse highlights the pivotal role of confession and heartfelt belief in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus as the key to eternal salvation.
It is not enough to simply believe in Jesus’ existence.
Although, that is a foundational first step. Scripture does say that anyone who wishes to come to Christ must first believe that He exists (Hebrews 11:6).
As we delve into the meaning of Romans 10:9 and explore its implications, we will uncover what it means to truly believe in Jesus.
The journey of faith goes beyond intellectual knowledge. It demands a heartfelt, experiential relationship with Jesus.
Together, let us embark on a journey that delves into the depths of Romans 10:9, embracing its message as a transformative guide on our path to salvation.
By exploring the truths it reveals and the life-changing impact it can have on our spiritual lives, we may discover a profound sense of purpose, hope, and eternal joy that only comes through a sincere confession and heartfelt belief in Jesus Christ.
More Than Head Knowledge
It is crucial to understand that simply believing in Jesus’ existence is not enough to elicit salvation.
The journey toward salvation encompasses far more than intellectual recognition; it requires a personal and transformative relationship with Jesus Christ.
True salvation entails a heartfelt and unwavering belief in Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The word ‘Lord’ recognizes Him as the Master of your life. Therefore, you’re no longer the one in charge. He is.
Savior recognizes Him as the One who redeems you from sin and saves your soul from Hell. Because He has given this great gift, it’s easy to call Him both Savior and Lord!
Furthermore, salvation is not merely a one-time event but an ongoing process of surrendering our lives to Jesus. It involves confessing Him as Lord and submitting to His authority in every aspect of our existence.
This confession encompasses not just our words but also our actions, as we strive to live in accordance with His teachings and example.
Salvation is inseparable from faith. It is through faith that we experience the transformative power of His love, forgiveness, and grace.
Fruit Salad For The Soul: Producing Spiritual Fruits In Your Life
Faith leads us to repentance, turning away from sin, and turning toward a life of righteousness and obedience to God.
There have been many people in the world who believe that Christ exists. Some are even religious people with good hearts and a desire to serve others.
What would Jesus say to them? What would He say to us?
Let’s look at a conversation in the Bible between Jesus Christ and a man named Nicodemus.
Nicodemus Was A Lot Like You
What We Know About Him
The Bible records a meeting between Jesus and a man by the name of Nicodemus.
Here’s everything we know about Nicodemus at the beginning of the conversation.
- He was a Pharisee, which indicates that he was a devout religious man.
- He was also a ruler of the Jews, which means he had a political office.
Now, you may think that these two things do not sound anything like you. But then you start thinking about what this really means about Nicodemus.
Nicodemus believed in God and was involved in the affairs of others.
The two most noted credentials most people state today concerning their standing before God are that they believe in God and that they are good to others.
Maybe this sounds a little more like you than you thought. But wait! There’s more.
Nicodemus was shown to believe in Jesus and that He was sent from God.
He was quite different than the other Pharisees of his day who accused Jesus of having His power from Satan.
So now, we see that Nicodemus was religious, served others, and believed in Jesus.
What Jesus Didn’t Say
This sounds more like a general description of most of the religious-minded people in our own generation.
Nicodemus even praised Jesus saying, “We know you are a teacher sent from God or you couldn’t do the things you do (John 3:2).”
However, Jesus didn’t even respond to the compliments that Nicodemus gave.
We might think that Jesus would have at least said, ‘Thank you.’ Or maybe, ‘I’m glad you see that.’ But He did not.
We might also think that Jesus would say to us, “Thank you for going to church. Thank you for recognizing Me in your life and for singing songs that praise Me.”
But He does not.
In all honesty, Jesus is not impressed with words and deeds of praise that are not rooted in a true obsession with Him.
Instead, Jesus says to Nicodemus the same thing He says to all men whether they are religious or not, “You must be born again (John 3:3).”
This direct and bold statement reflects the vast difference in our understanding of our condition compared to His.
Sin Isn’t Cosmetic
Illustration
Imagine you have an ugly spot on your body. After some thought, you determine that plastic surgery is the best course of option to remove the unsightly blemish. But then you get unexpected news from the doctor.
It turns out the spot is only the tip of a cancer that has consumed your whole body.
As a result, you understand that the way you would have treated it is not sufficient.
The difference in your understanding and the doctor’s is literally the difference in life and death.
Life Application
The act of being born again is much deeper than the popular notion of praying a sinner’s prayer.
A true experience of new birth is a very upsetting and dramatic experience.
It cannot happen without an intense internal breaking that shines the light on our rebellion and dismissal of God.
The complete crushing of our ego and will comes with a divine revelation of who God is.
It is an illumination that is so strong and bright that it outshines every other aspect of existence. It’s an awakening that shakes us to our very core and makes us tremble before the revealed majesty of God. It is an experience far more troubling than making a mental assent about Jesus.
Mere words alone do not drive a transformation of the inner man.
In fact, words are cheap, easily spoken, and tend to change quickly with the circumstances of life.
Conversely, the crushing of the inner man is life-changing! It is not forgotten!
Unfortunately, the doctrine of repentance and brokenness has been systematically removed from pulpits worldwide. Far too many religious leaders simply want crowds and fame.
The Message Of The Gospel
Freedom Isn’t Free
The message of the Gospel begins with bad news but many do not have the courage to give such a message because they fear disapproval.
If we truly believe the Bible is the inspired word of God we must allow it to be the standard of our lives and teachings.
In other words, the Bible does not present a ‘no-cost’ salvation.
Even the concept of salvation by faith alone is not without a cost.
We know the idea of works-driven salvation is contrary to the message of the cross and the suffering of Christ. However, the cross does not absolve the commandments of God.
In other words, the cross is not a license to ignore God.
The cross does not provide a pathway to a life of ungodliness without penalty. Instead, it’s a bridge to righteousness and closeness with God Almighty.
The cross is the path to righteousness. It is only obtained by grace through faith. What’s more, righteousness is also sustained by grace through faith.
Salvation Produces Works
Our works are not the root of salvation but the fruit of it.
An apple tree does not produce oranges. A righteous man does not produce unrighteousness.
In John 15, Jesus says that those who are connected to Him will produce fruits. Those who do not produce fruit will be cast into the fire and burned!
Paul said it is not circumcision or uncircumcision that matters but faith with works of love (Gal. 5:6). Circumcision here represents works. Paul is saying that works are not saving you or making you lost.
It is the heart by which you do the works that count for either righteousness or unrighteousness.
Paul wrote to Timothy and said that the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned (1 Tim 1:5).
Essentially, this means that the fulfillment of God’s commandment (law) is unconditional love from a pure heart.
This is love with the right motives.
Final Thoughts
Believe In Jesus And Receive A Genuine Change Of Heart
In exploring the profound message of Romans 10:9, we have journeyed through the core essence of faith in Jesus Christ.
This scripture encapsulates the transformative power of a personal relationship with Him, highlighting the significance of confession and heartfelt belief in our pursuit of salvation.
Romans 10:9 reminds us that salvation is not a passive belief but an active and life-altering commitment.
It calls us to confess Jesus as Lord, acknowledge His authority over our lives, and believe in His resurrection, recognizing the cornerstone of our faith.
This confession and belief go beyond surface-level acknowledgment; they require a surrendering of our hearts, minds, and wills to the transformative work of Jesus in our lives.
Learning From Others
Don’t forget that Nicodemus was most likely a good person. He went to church. He helped people. His heart was in the right place.
He even said he believes that Jesus was sent from God!
But that in itself wasn’t enough.
Jesus responded, “You have to be born again.”
We can learn from this today! Being a good person is not enough. Being nice to people doesn’t make you right with God. Nor does church attendance, tithing, bible reading, etc.
We must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God! We must believe that Jesus died a substitutionary death in our place and that the Father raised Him from the dead.
You can personally have the assurance and confidence to know that your soul is right with your Creator. All you have to do is follow the instructions given in Romans 10:9.
“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.”
In conclusion, truly believing in Jesus Christ is the beginning of a profound journey of faith and relationship Him. Let us embrace His transformative power, confess Him as Lord, believe in our hearts, and experience the fullness of salvation and the eternal hope that He brings.
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