7 Minute Read + Scripture readings
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Today’s Bible Reading:
1 Samuel 12
Romans 10
Jeremiah 49
Psalms 26-27
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Romans 10:9-10 (CSB) “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
So many people misunderstand the truth found in our Verses for Today.
Let’s dig into the text and see what we discover.
When we read it, we realize that it is telling us how to be saved – how to receive the gift of eternal life.
How do we get saved?
Romans 10:9 (CSB): “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Believing that God raised Him from the dead includes a lot of other beliefs. It includes the fact that He was who He said He was – the Son of God – fully God and fully man. It includes the fact that he was crucified on the cross for our sins. It includes the fact that His dead body was placed in a tomb and was there for 3 days. It includes the fact that anyone who trusts in Him (and not themselves) to make them right in God’s eyes will be saved.
So, we understand to a great extent the “belief” requirement. It goes along with what we read in the rest of the New Testament.
But, what about the part where it says, “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’…”?
Some contemporary American Christians may be tempted to think that they simply need to say, “Jesus is Lord,” out loud. They think there is something magical in that phrase.
But this flawed understanding misses the point entirely.
All we need to do is reflect upon who the book of Romans was written to. It was written to citizens of the city of Rome. It was written to Roman Christians.
Ok. We’ve got that down. Now, what governmental power oversaw their growing world domination?
Rome! Rome essentially dominated the world at that time in history.
And who was at the top of the food chain in the Roman government?
Caesar!
And where did Caesar rule from?
The city of Rome … where the Christians lived who Paul was writing to!
So, the Christians that the Apostle Paul was writing to were residing in the city where Caesar powerfully and jealously dominated the world.
For a moment, imagine that you have been transported back in time to first century Rome. Let’s imagine that we were walking the streets of that great city. Now, let’s imagine that as we walked down one of the main streets, I yelled out, “Caesar isn’t the supreme authority. There is someone else who is over Caesar and His name is Jesus. While I will pray for and support Caesar, my full allegiance belongs to King Jesus, not Caesar. Jesus is my Lord, my King, my ruler!”
Romans 10:9 (CSB): “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Those words would be considered an act of insurrection – treason! The person who said such a thing could easily and quickly have been killed for such a claim!
But, this is precisely Paul’s point! Paul was telling the Roman Christians in our Verses for Today to say those treasonous words in the city where Caesar would most certainly hear them!
Let’s momentarily step back a little further in time to Jesus’ trial before His crucifixion. Just listen to the following words. The Jewish religious leaders fully understood that they could only have one king at a time – Jesus or the ruling power:
John 19:15 (CSB): “They shouted, ‘Take him away! Take him away! Crucify him!’ Pilate said to them, ‘Should I crucify your king?’ ‘We have no king but Caesar!’ the chief priests answered.”
The religious leaders clearly understood that they could only have one King (Lord). For them, it was Caesar.
So, let’s go back to our Verses for Today. When it says that part of being saved is confessing with your mouth (out loud for everyone to hear) that Jesus is your Lord (your King, the one who rules over you and the one you obey), it means that you are unashamedly and without reservation aligning yourself with Jesus regardless of what negative things may happen to you as a result … even if it means you will be guilty of treason.
Romans 10:9-10 (CSB) “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness, and one confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.”
Confessing with our mouth that Jesus is Lord is not to simply say mindless, empty words. No! It’s so much more than that! They are powerful words that make it clear that we answer to King Jesus and we are prepared to receive the consequences of aligning ourselves under His authority. That’s what it means to be saved.
* * * * * * * * * *
Lord Jesus, You are my Lord, my King, my God! It is to You and You only that I will bow in full allegiance. And when and if my country passes laws that violate Your laws, I will obey You and take the consequences. Help me to grow in my understanding and conviction that You really are the Lord, the King of my life. Amen.
Matt’s Musings 