Confession & Belief Leads to Salvation
The Romans Road to Salvation
SCRIPTURE:
Romans 10:13 CSB - For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
OBSERVATION:
Romans chapters 9 and 10 teach us two essential truths about salvation:
1. Salvation has a divine side (Romans 9:12).
Romans 9:11-12 CSB – For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand – not from works but from the one who calls – she was told, The older will serve the younger.
God is the one who calls us and reveals our need for a Savior. We do not reach this realization on our own—it is beyond our sinful nature.
2. Salvation has a Human side (Romans 10:13)
Romans 10:13 CSB - For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
When we hear God call, we must respond. When we do, we will be saved.
In this section, Paul brings the well-known Romans Road to Salvation to a close:
All of this points to a simple truth: We need a Savior—not ourselves, not our own good works. Now, Paul tells us what we must do to receive this salvation.
APPLICATION:
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.
Paul outlines two simple steps:
1. Confess with your mouth
Romans 9:10 (CSB) … One confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
The first step is to confess that Jesus is LORD. The Greek word for “Lord” is Kurios, meaning “Emperor” or “Lord.” In the Roman world, calling Jesus Kurios placed Him above the Emperor and God, thereby granting Him supreme authority over one’s life.
No gentile would call Jesus LORD (Kurios) unless he had stopped worshiping the Emperor. This was a radical confession of allegiance.
2. Believe in your heart
Romans 9:10 (CSB) - One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness…
Romans 10:13 CSB - For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
OBSERVATION:
Romans chapters 9 and 10 teach us two essential truths about salvation:
1. Salvation has a divine side (Romans 9:12).
Romans 9:11-12 CSB – For though her sons had not been born yet or done anything good or bad, so that God’s purpose according to election might stand – not from works but from the one who calls – she was told, The older will serve the younger.
God is the one who calls us and reveals our need for a Savior. We do not reach this realization on our own—it is beyond our sinful nature.
2. Salvation has a Human side (Romans 10:13)
Romans 10:13 CSB - For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
When we hear God call, we must respond. When we do, we will be saved.
In this section, Paul brings the well-known Romans Road to Salvation to a close:
- All have sinned and fallen short (Romans 3:23).
- Sin leads to death, but salvation leads to life (Romans 6:23).
- God’s love was demonstrated at the cross through the forgiveness of sin (Romans 6:23).
All of this points to a simple truth: We need a Savior—not ourselves, not our own good works. Now, Paul tells us what we must do to receive this salvation.
APPLICATION:
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.
Paul outlines two simple steps:
1. Confess with your mouth
Romans 9:10 (CSB) … One confesses with the mouth, resulting in salvation.
The first step is to confess that Jesus is LORD. The Greek word for “Lord” is Kurios, meaning “Emperor” or “Lord.” In the Roman world, calling Jesus Kurios placed Him above the Emperor and God, thereby granting Him supreme authority over one’s life.
No gentile would call Jesus LORD (Kurios) unless he had stopped worshiping the Emperor. This was a radical confession of allegiance.
2. Believe in your heart
Romans 9:10 (CSB) - One believes with the heart, resulting in righteousness…
Mere intellectual agreement with the facts of the cross and the resurrection is not enough. You must believe in your heart; and even that belief is not enough without accompanying action: confess with your mouth. – David Guzik.
We believe everything which the Lord Jesus has taught, but we must go a step further, and trust him. It is not even enough to believe in him, as being the Son of God, and the anointed of the Lord; but we must believe on him... The faith that saves is not believing certain truths, nor even believing that Jesus is a Savior; but it is resting on him, depending on him, lying with all your weight on Christ as the foundation of your hope. Believe that he can save you; believe that he will save you; at any rate leave the whole matter of your salvation with him in unquestioning confidence. Depend upon him without fear as to your present and eternal salvation. This is the faith which saves the soul. – Charles Spurgeon.
We believe everything which the Lord Jesus has taught, but we must go a step further, and trust him. It is not even enough to believe in him, as being the Son of God, and the anointed of the Lord; but we must believe on him... The faith that saves is not believing certain truths, nor even believing that Jesus is a Savior; but it is resting on him, depending on him, lying with all your weight on Christ as the foundation of your hope. Believe that he can save you; believe that he will save you; at any rate leave the whole matter of your salvation with him in unquestioning confidence. Depend upon him without fear as to your present and eternal salvation. This is the faith which saves the soul. – Charles Spurgeon.
Paul speaks from personal experience. He spent many years trying to transform his wretched state into something holy and acceptable, only to conclude: “What a wretched man I am!”
It is worth bearing in mind that the great saints through the ages do not commonly say, ‘How good I am!’ Rather, they are apt to bewail their sinfulness. – Leon Morris.
Paul’s tone reveals his desperation for deliverance. This alone should capture our attention—the great Apostle Paul needed deliverance from the body of sin! How much more do you and I need it? Or perhaps… just me.
The words “Who will deliver me” show that Paul has given up on himself, and asks “Who will deliver me?” instead of “How will I deliver myself?” – David Guzik.
“It is not the voice of one desponding or doubting, but of one breathing and panting after deliverance. – Matthew Poole.
“It is not the voice of one desponding or doubting, but of one breathing and panting after deliverance. – Matthew Poole.
The Result:
Romans 10:11, 13 CSB - For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, ... For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
What are the two things people fear most? Rejection and shame. Paul tells us that when we come to Jesus—by believing and confessing—we will be saved. No rejection. No shame. Just grace, forgiveness, and full acceptance.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Jesus, for such wonderful salvation - as simple as confessing with my mouth and believing in my heart that You are Lord. Thank You for the cross, the forgiveness I’ve received, the grace that covers my sin, and the mercy that is new each day. Help me to walk in this salvation every day.
Romans 10:11, 13 CSB - For the Scripture says, Everyone who believes on him will not be put to shame, ... For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
What are the two things people fear most? Rejection and shame. Paul tells us that when we come to Jesus—by believing and confessing—we will be saved. No rejection. No shame. Just grace, forgiveness, and full acceptance.
PRAYER:
Thank You, Jesus, for such wonderful salvation - as simple as confessing with my mouth and believing in my heart that You are Lord. Thank You for the cross, the forgiveness I’ve received, the grace that covers my sin, and the mercy that is new each day. Help me to walk in this salvation every day.
Confession with the mouth and belief in the heart bring salvation—Jesus is Lord, and in Him, we are fully saved.
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