Read Romans 10:5-15
There’s a line we all know from this passage because Burt’s song carries it in our minds: “if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Rom 10:9). One thing is believing, the other thing is telling others. What does it mean to say, “Jesus is Lord”? What what does it mean to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead?
Let’s look at the second one first. Why is it important to believe that God raised Jesus from the dead? Because if God didn’t do that, Jesus would no longer be alive. We know that Jesus is alive but no longer physically with us. He ascended into heaven. What happened then? His presence came to us in the Holy Spirit. Born-again Christians are born by the Spirit (Jn 3:5,8). We must be open to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit guides our lives. The Holy Spirit directs us to follow the way of Jesus. It’s a humbling thing. We’re no longer director of our lives. We submit to the leading of the Holy Spirit.
That’s where the first part comes in. We confess with our lips that “Jesus is Lord”. Jesus, not us. The way of Jesus is humble, but he is also the One who is Lord of all. We need to be humble. The words that come out of us need to put God first. And – thinking about it – that’s not just saying the words, “Jesus is Lord”. You’ve got to mean what you say. That’s why saying goes with believing. That’s why Paul mentioned both lips and heart. You can’t have one without the other.
If you say “Jesus is Lord”, but your behaviour is negative and unloving, what will that achieve? And if, as a Christian, you do good works but never point people to Jesus, isn’t that selfish? If you do that, you aren’t fully sharing the love that was shared with you.
Paul is very clear in this passage that the message has to get out. Church is not an exclusive club for registered members. The members don’t decide who belongs and who doesn’t. God has decided! “There is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him. For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’ (Rom 10:12-13).
In that case, we have a responsibility! We have to communicate God’s open welcome! Jesus isn’t here on earth anymore. When Jesus left earth, he promised the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit acts through humble, practising believers. That’s how people get to know about Jesus. That’s how they get to understand God’s grace. “How are they to hear without someone to proclaim him?” (Rom 10:14).
Paul focused here on the telling. Sometimes humble believers are too shy to share the good news of Jesus. That’s no good – it’s a kind of selfishness.
But Paul also named the heart. Voice without heart is a disaster. He wrote to the Corinthians, “If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal” (1 Cor 13:1). A big, ugly noise. The world doesn’t need more big-noise, hypocrite evangelists. No, people see beauty in loving action. In humble, loving action, inspired by the Holy Spirit. What makes God’s messenger beautiful? Not fine words, but humble feet – the way of the humble servant. “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom 10:15).
Lord, help us show your living word to others, both on our lips and in our heart.
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