The confession of faith is a central element in the Christian life, as it publicly expresses our belief in and acceptance of Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior. In the book of Romans 10:9, we find a powerful verse that emphasizes the relationship between the confession of faith and salvation: “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead , you will be saved.” In this Bible study, we will explore in depth this inspiring verse and its implications for our lives as disciples of Christ.
The Confession of Jesus as Lord
At the beginning of the verse, Paul encourages us to confess Jesus as Lord with our mouth. This confession goes beyond a simple statement of words; it is a solemn affirmation of total submission and devotion to Jesus. By acknowledging Jesus as Lord, we acknowledge his authority over our lives and surrender to his will. This public confession is a demonstration of our Christian identity and a form of witness to those around us.
Another verse that reinforces the importance of confessing Jesus as Lord is found in Philippians 2:11, which says, “and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” This statement emphasizes the universality of Jesus’ confession as Lord and the future recognition of his sovereignty by all mankind.
This passage leads us to reflect on the exalted nature of Jesus Christ and his lordship over all things. It shows us that there will come a time when every human being, without exception, will confess that Jesus is Lord. This acknowledgment is not just a matter of words, but a total submission and surrender to the divine authority of Christ.
The universality of the confession of Jesus as Lord has profound implications for our understanding of Christ’s redemptive work. It reveals that salvation in Jesus is not limited to a specific culture, race or group, but is for all peoples and nations. The gospel message transcends borders and reaches everyone, regardless of their background or social status.
This statement also reminds us of the glory and sovereignty of God the Father. The confession of Jesus as Lord brings glory to the Father, for it is an affirmation of God’s redemptive plan and His love for all mankind. It is through the work of Jesus that salvation is offered and the glory of God is manifested.
This passage challenges us to consider our own confession of Jesus as Lord. She invites us to reflect on whether we are truly submitting our lives to the authority of Christ and acknowledging him as the only Lord and Savior. The confession of Jesus as Lord is not just a theoretical matter, but must be manifested in our worship, obedience and service to Him.
Ultimately, the universality of Jesus’ confession as Lord leads us to praise God for his unconditional grace and love. She inspires us to zealously share the gospel message and to pray for those who have not yet confessed Jesus as Lord, knowing that one day every tongue will confess his sovereignty. May we live in harmony with this truth and work for the name of Jesus to be proclaimed and glorified in all nations.
Belief in the Resurrection of Jesus and the Promise of Salvation
In addition to confession with the mouth, the verse in Romans 10:9 also highlights the importance of believing in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead. The resurrection of Jesus is a central event in redemptive history and is central to our Christian faith. To believe that God raised Jesus is to recognize divine power over death and Christ’s victory over sin and the grave.
Another verse that brings us a deeper understanding of the resurrection of Jesus is in 1 Corinthians 15:17: “And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile, and you are still in your sins.” The resurrection is the basis of our hope as Christians, for it is through it that we receive eternal life and the assurance of our own future resurrection.
By confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in his resurrection, we are graced with a wonderful promise: we will be saved. Salvation is a gift from God, given by his grace, and is received through faith in Jesus Christ. It is not the result of our works or merits, but is an act of divine love and mercy.
Ephesians 2:8-9 complements this idea by stating: “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and this does not come from you; it is God’s gift. Not of works, lest anyone should boast.” These verses remind us that salvation is a free gift, received by faith, and that we cannot earn it by our own efforts. It is a divine gift that must be accepted with humility and gratitude.
The Call and Assurance of Salvation
Although salvation is offered to all, it requires an active response on our part. The verse in Romans 10:9 urges us to confess and believe. This is a call to living faith and complete surrender to Jesus Christ. It is not enough just to say empty words; it takes a sincere commitment to Christ in our hearts and a public demonstration of that faith.
John 3:16 is one of the best known verses in the Bible and it also tells us about the call to salvation: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” God has offered the gift of salvation to all mankind, but it is up to each individual to decide whether to accept or reject it. Answering the call of salvation is a personal and unique choice that requires repentance and faith in Christ.
Once we confess Jesus as Lord and believe in his resurrection, we are assured of our salvation. This security is not based on our abilities or merits, but on God’s faithfulness and power. He is faithful to keep his promises and keeps us firmly in his grace.
A verse that comforts us regarding the security of our salvation is John 10:27-28, in which Jesus states: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me; and I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will pluck them out of my hand.” This promise assures us that once we are saved, we are held safe in the loving hands of Jesus. Nothing can separate us from God’s love and care.
The Impact of Salvation on Our Lives and the Responsibility of Sharing the Message of Salvation
Confession of faith in Jesus Christ and belief in his resurrection have a profound impact on our lives. Upon being saved, we experience an inner transformation that brings us into an intimate relationship with God and enables us to live a life according to his principles.
2 Corinthians 5:17 illustrates this life-changing impact of salvation, declaring, “So if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: old things have passed away; behold, everything is done again.” When we are saved, we receive a new identity in Christ and are freed from the power of sin. We begin to live with purpose and meaning, seeking to honor God in all areas of our lives.
Salvation is not just an individual blessing, it also calls us to share this message of hope with others. As disciples of Jesus, we have a responsibility to proclaim the gospel and make disciples of all nations.
Matthew 28:19-20 , known as the Great Commission, instructs us to go and make disciples: “Go therefore, teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit; teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and behold, I am with you always, even to the consummation of the centuries.” This is a sacred task and a privilege as we share the good news of salvation and help others find eternal life in Christ.
The Hope of Eternal Life in Christ
Salvation in Jesus Christ offers us the wonderful hope of eternal life. By confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in his resurrection, we receive the gift of eternal life and the promise to dwell with God forever.
John 3:36 reminds us of this hope: “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who disobeys the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” This promise encourages us to persevere in faith, knowing that eternal life is guaranteed to those who believe in Jesus if they obey his word.
Conclusion
Romans 10:9 is a powerful verse that reminds us of the essence of the Christian faith: confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in his resurrection. Through this confession and faith, we are saved and receive the gift of eternal life. This salvation has the power to transform our lives, giving us a new identity in Christ and enabling us to live according to his will.
As saved Christians, we have a responsibility to share the message of salvation with the world around us. As we fulfill this mission, we can bring hope and transformation to those who do not yet know Christ.
May we live in response to that call, trusting in the promise of salvation and sharing God’s love with everyone we meet. May confession of Jesus as Lord and belief in his resurrection be the foundation of our faith and the foundation of our lives as we seek to follow Christ and fulfill the purpose for which we were called.
