Confessing Jesus as Lord
Romans 10:9–10 declares: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
These verses powerfully summarize the process of salvation, but they cannot be separated from the full biblical teaching that true faith is proven through a life that keeps God’s commandments. Confessing Jesus as Lord is not a matter of words alone—it is a life of love, obedience, and loyalty to God’s will.
In the New Testament, the apostles Paul (Romans 1:1), Peter (2 Peter 1:1), James (James 1:1), Jude (Jude 1:1), and John (Revelation 1:1) all referred to themselves as douloi—slaves of Jesus Christ.
This identity was not symbolic; it reflected their wholehearted commitment to keeping Christ’s commandments and serving His purposes in all things. Their confession that “Jesus is Lord” was confirmed by the way they lived, suffered, and died in obedience to Jesus.
Peter’s life illustrates the cost of confession. In Matthew 26:69–75, Peter denied Jesus three times out of fear. But after repentance, he became a bold preacher of the gospel and eventually died for Christ.
Peter’s transformation teaches us that true confession is not proven by momentary words, but by lifelong faithfulness—even in the face of persecution. As Jesus taught, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).
Abraham’s story in Genesis 22:1–18 further shows that genuine faith is inseparable from obedience. When God commanded him to sacrifice his beloved son Isaac, Abraham obeyed without hesitation.
Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac demonstrated that he loved God more than his own son. This act of obedience to God was the defining proof of his faith.
Galatians 3:6 and James 2:23 affirm: “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and “he was called a friend of God.” Abraham’s faith was not passive; he actively kept God’s command—even when it required giving up what he loved most. Abraham's obedience to God showed that God occupied the first place in his heart.
As James 2:21–26 teaches, “Faith without works is dead.” Abraham became the father of faith not just because he believed in his heart, but because he acted on that belief and obeyed God’s word. His love for God was proven by his willingness to keep God’s command at the highest personal cost.
Romans 10:9–10 is a call not to superficial confession but to wholehearted obedience. To truly say “Jesus is Lord” is to live a life that keeps God’s commandments, just as Abraham did when he chose to love God above even his own son, and just as Peter did when he eventually confessed Christ unto death.
Only those who love God with all their heart and soul, keep the teachings of Jesus, and do the will of the Father can fully understand and walk in the truth of Romans 10:9–10.
This is an act of complete obedience to God and do the will of God. It proves its faith by completely fearing God, loving God, following God, and doing God's will. This is the true faith of salvation.
