The words \u201csaved\u201d and \u201csalvation\u201d in the Bible never refer specifically to receiving eternal life by faith in Jesus.<\/a><\/p>\nInstead, the salvation <\/em>word family refers to some sort of deliverance or rescue, and can include deliverance from premature death due to sickness or enemies, deliverance from running one\u2019s relationships, or even to deliverance from shame at the Judgment Seat of Christ.<\/p>\nWhen Scripture teaches about being saved from sin, it is not referring to escaping hell and going to heaven when we die, but to the deliverance from the devastating and destructive consequences of sin in this life<\/em>.<\/p>\nIt is this last idea of “salvation” which Paul primarily has in mind when he writes about salvation in his letters, and especially in his letter to the Romans. <\/strong><\/p>\nPaul not only wants his readers to receive eternal life through faith in Jesus (Romans 4-5), he also wants his readers to experience the life of God in their day-to-day lives right now (Romans 6-8).<\/p>\n
Paul not only wants his readers to be justified (Romans 4-5), he also wants them to be sanctified (Romans 6-8).<\/p>\n
He not only wants them to be declared righteous in the sight of God (Romans 4-5), but also to live righteously in the sight of men (Romans 6-8).<\/p>\n
So when Paul writes about salvation<\/em>, it is this day-to-day journey into discipleship and sanctification that Paul has in mind.<\/p>\n“Salvation” in Romans is NOT about gaining forgiveness of sins so we can escape hell and go to heaven when we die. It is about following Jesus in the path of discipleship so that we can avoid the destructive and devastating consequences of sin in this life. <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\nWe see this quite clearly right here in Romans 10:9-10.<\/p>\n
The word Paul uses for righteousness in verse 10 is the same exact Greek word he uses elsewhere for justification (see Justification<\/em>). And how is a person justified? According to Paul, a person is justified when they believe in Jesus (cf. Romans 4:4-5). This belief takes place in their heart, that is, in their inner being. It is not something that necessarily has any outward sign, activity, or manifestation.<\/p>\nWhen we believe in Jesus, He gives us eternal life (John 3:16; 5:24; 6:47). We are justified, or declared righteous by God.<\/p>\n
But being declared righteous by God is not the same thing as the daily experience of freedom from sin.<\/strong><\/p>\nDeliverance from the penalty of sin is not the same thing as deliverance from the power of sin in our lives. All Christians know that even after they become a Christian, they continue to struggle with disobedience and rebellion against God. Paul knows this very well (cf. Romans 7), and so a constant theme in his letters is to teach Christians how to experience the freedom for which they have been set free (cf. Gal 5:1).<\/p>\n
Though justification truths are central to Paul\u2019s thinking and teaching, sanctification truths are more constant.<\/strong><\/p>\nSo here in Romans 10:9-10, one key to gaining deliverance from the addictive and destructive power of sin in our lives is by publicly confessing our allegiance to Jesus.<\/p>\n
We are justified by faith alone, but one key to experiencing salvation, that is, deliverance from the power of sin in our lives, is by boldly proclaiming with our mouth that Jesus is our Lord and Master. <\/strong><\/p>\nAs long as we hide the fact that we are aligned with Jesus, it will be easier for sin to continue to have mastery over us. But when we let friends, family, and co-workers know that we follow Jesus and obey His instructions, it will be easier for us to stand up for what is right and do what He commands. In this way, we will begin to experience salvation; we will begin to find deliverance from the devastating and destructive consequences of sin in our lives.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
So is public confession with the mouth important? Yes, of course! <\/strong><\/p>\nTaking a public stand for Jesus is essential for finding freedom from the power of sin in our lives. But this public stance is not required to receive eternal life. God declares us righteous when we believe in Jesus.<\/p>\n
We believe in Jesus for eternal life, and we confess Jesus with our mouth to experience deliverance from sin. <\/strong><\/p>\nHow will this public stance look? Well, it will be different from person to person and from place to place. Baptism might be part of it, as well as possibly sharing a testimony in the church. But taking a public stand for Jesus is not a one-time event. It is an ongoing way of life that requires daily commitment and discipline. Taking a public stand for Jesus is part of every conversation, interaction, and decision with friends, family, coworkers, and even in our personal life.<\/p>\n
Paul\u2019s message in Romans 10:9-10 is that while being justified by faith alone is wonderful, it is not enough to deliver us from the power of sin in our lives here and now.<\/p>\n
The first step toward this salvation from sin is to publicly confess and agree that we belong to God, that Jesus is our Master, and that we will follow Him and do what He says.<\/p>\n
Note that this way of understanding Romans 10:9-10 can be easily understood by reversing the “order of events” in Romans 10:14-15. In these verses, Paul writes this:<\/p>\n
How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?<\/em><\/p>\nThe “calling on Him” is equivalent to confessing Jesus, so let us take these events in reverse order:<\/p>\n
1. A person is sent \n2. That person preaches to people \n3. The people hear what is preached \n4. They believe what is preached (and are therefore justified) \n5. Those who believe call on the name of the Lord.<\/p>\n
Do you see? A person cannot call on the name of the Lord until they have first believed. In other words, the “calling” or “confessing” that Paul has in mind is a discipleship activity. It is for believers who are already justified. This calling and confession helps “save” believers from the destructive power of sin in our lives.<\/p>\n
One does not gain eternal life by calling on the name of the Lord or by making a public confession that Jesus is Lord. We receive eternal life by believing in Jesus for it.<\/p>\n
But having believed, we can gain victory over sin in our life (salvation) by confessing Jesus, calling on His name, and taking a public stand for Him. If we fail to do this, it does not mean we don’t have eternal life; it just means we will not experience victory over sin in our life.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
So Do You Need to Confess that Jesus is Lord?<\/h2>\n Well, it depends … what are you trying to do?<\/p>\n
If you want to gain eternal life from God, then no, you do not need to confess that Jesus is Lord. Simply believe that Jesus has given eternal life to you. That’s it. Eternal life is a free gift received by faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.<\/p>\n
But if you want to break free from the besetting, addicting, and destructive power of sin in your life, then yes, confession that Jesus is Lord and submission to Him in your life will be necessary. Only when we commit to following Jesus and take a stand for Him will we gain “salvation” from the power of sin in our lives here and now.<\/p>\n
Does this make sense? I hope so! Leave any comments or questions you might have in the comment section below.<\/p>\n
<\/a>Understanding the Gospel requires us to properly understand the key words and terms of the Gospel.<\/strong> Take my course, \"The Gospel Dictionary\" to learn about the 52 key words of the Gospel, and hundreds of Bible passages that use these words.<\/p> \r\n\r\nThis course costs $297, but when you join the Discipleship group<\/a>, you can to take the entire course for free.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"There are several verses in the Bible which seem to teach that you need to make a public confession of Jesus in order to be saved. One of these is Romans 10:9-10. Many people interpret this to mean that if you do not let others know that you are a follower of Jesus, then you do not truly have eternal life and will therefore not spend eternity with God in heaven.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":47954,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[2297,2230,2231,2296],"tags":[2265,2680,1246,2719,2720,2690,2896,2413,2691,1327,39],"class_list":{"0":"post-47949","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-redeeming-god","8":"category-redeeming-scripture","9":"category-redeeming-theology","10":"category-z","11":"tag-2-timothy-212","12":"tag-confess","13":"tag-eternal-life","14":"tag-jesus-is-lord","15":"tag-lordship-salvation","16":"tag-luke-128","17":"tag-matthew-1032","18":"tag-one-verse-podcast","19":"tag-romans-109-10","20":"tag-salvation","21":"tag-theology-salvation","22":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\n
Do I need to confess Jesus to be saved? (Romans 10:9-10)<\/title>\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n \n \n \n \n \n\t \n\t \n\t \n