If you ·declare [confess] with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved. [L- For] We believe with our hearts, and so we ·are made right with God [are justified; receive righteousness]. And we ·declare [confess] with our mouths, ·and so we are saved [leading to salvation] ROMANS 10:9-10 THE EXPANDED BIBLE
I am convinced, many people do not understand the significance of “believe in your heart”. In the minds of many they were saved when they: raised their hands in church while all heads were bowed; came to the alter and repeated a specific prayer; emailed, mailed responded to some type of written communication and said “yes I believe”; or spoke with someone at their door and said a prayer. In their hearts many believe their salvation was guaranteed when they were baptized. Salvation is a two part process: 1) you believe in your soul and 2) you declare what you believe not what someone told you.
When you believe in your heart you accept what is presented as truth.
ROMANS 3:3-4
For what if some did not believe? Will their unbelief make the faithfulness of God without effect? Certainly not! Indeed, let God be true but every man a liar. As it is written: “That You may be justified in Your words, and may overcome when You are judged.”
Recently I was speaking with a neighbor. He had a form of faith, like many, he created in his mind a relationship with God that did not include the Bible, his wife also believes there is a God. My neighbor was offended when I declared the Bible was the infallible word of God and I believed in it 100 percent.
How can you be saved if you do not believe in Scripture? It is God’s word that reveals what we are saved from.
The book of Romans reveals the need for a Savior. Scripture, the 66 books referred to as the Bible, lays out establishment of humanity and the deeds that lead to the destruction of peace on earth. Romans 3:3-4 tells us that God is God no matter what man’s beliefs are- “let God be true but every man a liar.”
My neighbor had a problem with me putting God’s word over his opinion. Doctors have a problem with a person putting God’s word over their diagnosis. Politicians have a problem with followers of Christ putting Scripture over their words.
When you believe in your heart you really do not care what other people think.
JAMES 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.
I am not saying: If you have doubt you are not saved. Many Christians are not sure about the word from time to time but we still believe and choose to err on the side of faith.
EPHESIANS 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
There are those who allow their flesh to dictate how they live. Emotions that support the flesh can convince the heart to accept certain ideas as true. Scripture refers to fleshly thinking as being carnal minded. (Romans 8:6) Scripture teaches those who follow Christ, the just, live by faith not feelings.
HEBREWS 11:1I believe God’s word. Yes, I listened to the words of man. Yes, I responded to an alter call; I also responded to a radio message, a television message and a book that had a prayer at the end. Was I saved at the age of 9 when I first confessed my faith or 30 when I was baptized in the Holy Spirit. I believe I was saved when I began seeking the Lord, age 9.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
The question is: Are you saved?
ROMANS 10:9-10 THE VOICE“Belief begins in the heart.” Faith is a journey which can be influenced by many. Faith is personal therefore you must control the information that is received. Not everyone who shares the gospel knows what they are talking about.
So if you believe deep in your heart that God raised Jesus from the pit of death and if you voice your allegiance by confessing the truth that “Jesus is Lord,” then you will be saved! Belief begins in the heart and leads to a life that’s right with God; confession departs from our lips and brings eternal salvation.
I ENCOURAGE THE READER TO RESEARCH THE WORDS I WRITE.
What does your heart tell you? Here are some of the things people have told me over the years…
- The Bible was written by man and man therefor I cannot believe in it %100.
- The Bible was written over 2,000 years ago it does not apply to today.
- The Bible was written by the White man, it is not for Black people.
- I believe the Bible but….there are numerous exceptions to what Scripture teaches including:
Abortion - there are those who believe that abortion is acceptable
Polygamy- there are those who practice or believe polygamy is acceptable
This list reflects some of the things individuals who call themselves Christian believe in their hearts. How can you be saved if you doubt Scripture?
When a person declares “Jesus is Lord” he (or she) is saying:
God, Son of God, came to earth in the form of a man, son of man,, to restore man’s relationship with Himself. He entered the earth through the womb of Mary, a virgin. He lived under the guidance of Mary and Joseph until such time as He began to fulfill His purpose (see John 10:10). Jesus, Yeshua(Hebrew): lived, taught, healed and delivered those who were in bondage to Satan, while teaching all who would listen. He “was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 NIV) After being beaten with 39 stripes, forced to carry the post which He would be eventually nailed to. Yeshua carried the cross part of the way and the remainder of the trip up hill it was carried by Simon, the Cyrene, to Golgatha. The shape of the post was what we refer to as a cross. He, Jesus, was nailed to the cross to die a slow tortuous death. He lived this earth without sin because He was to be the perfect sacrifice for the transgressions of mankind. Yeshua spent 3 nights and 3 days in hell and then arose from the dead, He conquered death. Arising from the death and ministering to His disciples on earth, the Son of God ascended back to heaven; He has returned to eternity and will come again. This is what I mean when I say: Jesus is Lord.
Not everyone believes in the deity of Jesus, not everyone who says they are saved is actually a follower of Yeshua Hamashia, the Anointed One. For many the natural thinking of man blocks the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. Are you a Believer? Written by Marsha L F Randolph
A MATTER OF FAITH reflects the opinions and property of the author MARSHA L F RANDOLPH. All rights reserved- do not use without permission. All Scriptures quoted are from the New King James Version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. Don’t miss weekly faith based post FOLLOW THIS BLOG and receive notifications when a new article is posted.
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