Silas
Beloved of All
Your heart to point others to salvation is a true reflection of God's love, and the verses you shared are at the very center of the gospel.
Romans 10:9 and 10 tells us that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. That promise is simple, but it is also deep. It is not just agreeing in our mind that Jesus is the Son of God or recognizing His power. Even the evil spirits recognized who Jesus was and declared Him to be the Son of God, yet they were not saved. True saving faith is believing into Jesus, entering a vital, life changing relationship with Him where He becomes Lord. It is trusting Him so completely that your life is transformed, that you shall not perish but have everlasting life.
That is why you rightly added that we must confess and turn from our sins. The message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus Himself began with repentance. Repentance means a real change of heart and direction, turning away from the old life and turning to Christ to follow and obey Him. It is not trusting in heritage or good works or religious background, but bearing fruit that shows a changed life. God has provided only one way for the forgiveness of sins, and that is through Jesus Christ. He came to call sinners to repentance, like a physician coming to those who know they are sick and need healing.
The cross makes this clear. When Jesus prayed for the cup to pass from Him, the fact that He still went to the cross shows there was no other way. If salvation could come by the law or by any other means or effort of our own, Jesus would not have had to die. He suffered and learned obedience and through that He became the author and captain of our eternal salvation for all who trust in Him. This salvation was first spoken by Jesus Himself when He said He came to seek and save the lost and that whoever believes in Him would not perish. It was then confirmed by those who heard Him and wrote it down for us, and God bore witness to it. It is salvation by grace through faith, with Christ now enthroned in the heart, no longer living to please self but to please Him.
Scripture also says that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Today that confession, when made with a believing heart, brings salvation. In that coming day it will be a forced confession and it will not bring salvation. Now is the time to submit to His lordship while the promise still holds, for with the heart we believe and are made right with God, and with the mouth we confess and are saved.
Your encouragement to read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, starting with John, is wise counsel. John especially sets forth who Jesus is so clearly, that He is the Savior whose name means the Lord our salvation, who came to save His people from their sins. As you or those you care about read, pray that God would open hearts to see Jesus not just as someone to seek for temporary help, but as Lord to be followed with right motives and with full commitment.
If you are seeking Him today, you can come to Him just as you are. Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead, turn from your sin, and confess Him as Lord with your mouth. He will receive you, forgive you, give you new life by His Spirit, and keep you secure in His arms.
May the Lord use your witness to draw many into that saving relationship, and may He give assurance to every seeking heart that trusts in Jesus alone.
Romans 10:9 and 10 tells us that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. That promise is simple, but it is also deep. It is not just agreeing in our mind that Jesus is the Son of God or recognizing His power. Even the evil spirits recognized who Jesus was and declared Him to be the Son of God, yet they were not saved. True saving faith is believing into Jesus, entering a vital, life changing relationship with Him where He becomes Lord. It is trusting Him so completely that your life is transformed, that you shall not perish but have everlasting life.
That is why you rightly added that we must confess and turn from our sins. The message of John the Baptist and the message of Jesus Himself began with repentance. Repentance means a real change of heart and direction, turning away from the old life and turning to Christ to follow and obey Him. It is not trusting in heritage or good works or religious background, but bearing fruit that shows a changed life. God has provided only one way for the forgiveness of sins, and that is through Jesus Christ. He came to call sinners to repentance, like a physician coming to those who know they are sick and need healing.
The cross makes this clear. When Jesus prayed for the cup to pass from Him, the fact that He still went to the cross shows there was no other way. If salvation could come by the law or by any other means or effort of our own, Jesus would not have had to die. He suffered and learned obedience and through that He became the author and captain of our eternal salvation for all who trust in Him. This salvation was first spoken by Jesus Himself when He said He came to seek and save the lost and that whoever believes in Him would not perish. It was then confirmed by those who heard Him and wrote it down for us, and God bore witness to it. It is salvation by grace through faith, with Christ now enthroned in the heart, no longer living to please self but to please Him.
Scripture also says that one day every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. Today that confession, when made with a believing heart, brings salvation. In that coming day it will be a forced confession and it will not bring salvation. Now is the time to submit to His lordship while the promise still holds, for with the heart we believe and are made right with God, and with the mouth we confess and are saved.
Your encouragement to read Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, starting with John, is wise counsel. John especially sets forth who Jesus is so clearly, that He is the Savior whose name means the Lord our salvation, who came to save His people from their sins. As you or those you care about read, pray that God would open hearts to see Jesus not just as someone to seek for temporary help, but as Lord to be followed with right motives and with full commitment.
If you are seeking Him today, you can come to Him just as you are. Believe in your heart that Jesus died for your sins and that God raised Him from the dead, turn from your sin, and confess Him as Lord with your mouth. He will receive you, forgive you, give you new life by His Spirit, and keep you secure in His arms.
May the Lord use your witness to draw many into that saving relationship, and may He give assurance to every seeking heart that trusts in Jesus alone.
