If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. Romans 10:9-10
Do you struggle with trying to be a good Christian, never making mistakes? Trying each day to never sin? Did you ever think the moment you choose to follow God, you had to be perfect?
Read Romans 10:1- 13. According to this portion of scripture who does Paul, wish would be saved? How does He describe their enthusiasm for God? How do the Jews go off course in their pursuit of God? What did Jesus do in light of the law?
Read Galatians 3:24. Paul states here the law was to protect us until Jesus came. It protects us until we could be made right with God through faith. The Jews were looking for the Messiah. They missed the part that they needed a savior. The law became what they trusted and that it would save them. Have you ever had this happen? Where the rules became more important in your life?
Now let’s focus on verses 5-8. When Moses wrote the law of making us right with God, the people had to obey all the commands. In faith, getting right with God means the message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart. Do you see Paul quoting the old testament in this Passage? He is reminding us that God’s plan isn’t a new one. Deuteronomy 30: 12-16, Moses gave the Israelites a powerful picture of God’s desire for His people. Obeying God’s commands was to be preceded by loving God first wholeheartedly. Whenever the Israelites put the rules over their relationship with God, they went off track. When the law came first over their love for God, they became blinded and many missed that the Messiah had come.
Let’s dive into verses 9-10. There are two verbs that need to be pointed out. They are: confess and believe. The greek word for confess is homologeo. It means to profess; to declare openly, speak out freely. Believe is the Greek word pisteuo. It means to think to be true, to be persuaded of, to credit, place confidence in. Compare Deuteronomy 30:14 to Romans 10:8. What are these verses saying? That with our lips and heart we need to confess our sins to Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead. God’s plan has always been about faith and not law.
Read John 3:16; Romans 3:23, 5:8, and John 1:12. God loves you. You are a sinner. Christ died for you. You want to receive Christ.
Now let’s read verses 11-13. Everyone who calls on God will be saved. Now, this is Good news!!!!! Our faith is all about our relationship with Christ and then obeying His commands, not the other way around.
Dear Heavenly Father,
I am so thankful for your ways, your word, and your plans. Thank you that we all get to call on You with our lips and hearts and we will be saved. God, I pray that if any of us are confused by what we read, I pray that the Holy Spirit will help us.
In Jesus Name
Amen
