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Romans 10:8-13 (KJV) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

What is “The Word of Faith which we preach”? A person is saved by faith in Jesus Christ. The early Protestant Church used several Latin phrases to describe Christian faith apart from Romanism:

Sola Scriptura – “by Scripture alone”
Sola Fide – “by Faith alone”
Sola Gratia – “by Grace alone”
Solus Christus – “through Christ alone”
Soli Deo Gloria – “glory to God alone”

The intent of these five Solas was to emphasize that you do not work your way to Heaven!

The Catholic Church through its system of priests and popes had established a works type of Christianity. In order to be saved the Saints were prayed to, the pope revered, the local pastor called the “father” had to be obeyed and confessed to. If the professing Catholic refused to submit to the Lordship of the Catholic Church then that person was deemed hell bound. The Protestant Reformation rose up out of and apart from Catholicism and declared NO. The Protestant said:

I believe what the Scripture says – period!
I believe salvation is by faith in Christ alone.
I believe that salvation is a gracious Gift from God.
I believe this gift comes through Christ alone.
And I give all glory to God for my salvation.

This is foundational to our faith. Salvation is a free gift. It is a “Word of Faith that we preach”. What did the early Apostles preach about salvation? How did the Apostle Paul present the Gospel? He says in our focal text:

Romans 10:9 (KJV) … thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved

Salvation comes by believing in Christ as SAVIOR and LORD. Notice that Jesus is called LORD Jesus. The believer – in order to be saved – is commanded to confess Christ as Lord. What does this mean?

CONFESS is the Greek word ὁμολογέω homologéō, (pronounced hom-ol-og-eh’-o). This word is used in the Bible to mean:

To say the same thing as another says
To agree with God
To declare openly and profess publicly
To covenant or enter into contract with

One preacher named Ezekiel Benson describes homologeo as “A Divine Handshake with God”. What are you as a believer to “CONFESS”? How dis the early Church present the Gospel of Christ? Read with me:

Act 10:36 … Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)
Act 11:17 .. who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ..
Act 15:11 .. the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved ..
Act 16:31 … Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..
Act 20:21 .. faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Act 28:31 … teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ..

The “Word of faith which we preach” is faith toward “The LORD Jesus”. When you “confess” or state publicly “Jesus is Lord” in agreement with God this is the first action required of salvation. Theologian and Pastor J.M. Boice in his book Philippians: An Expositional Commentary (Grand Rapids, Mich. Baker Books):

“The Greek word for LORD is kurios, the word used by citizens of the Roman empire to acknowledge the divinity of Caesar. This title was never used of the emperors until they were thought to be deified through a religious ceremony; therefore, it was used as a divine title. Within the empire there was a test phrase used to check the loyalty of the people. It was Kyrios Kaiser, and it meant “Caesar is Lord.” Christians who would not say these words were later singled out from pagans and executed. In those days when a Christian insisted that Jesus is Lord he meant that Jesus, not Caesar, is divine. …”

To publicly proclaim “Jesus is Lord” was a dangerous thing for a Christian in the Roman Empire. It was a commitment that the believer made. Jesus demands that those whom He saves follow Him unashamedly and publicly. He said:

Luke 9:23-26 (KJV) {Jesus} said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. 24 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. 25 For what is a man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away? 26 For whosoever shall be ashamed of me and of my words, of him shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he shall come in his own glory, and in his Father’s, and of the holy angels. (also Matthew 16:24-26; Mark 8:38)

Christ Saves “His” People

Jesus called people to salvation as Lord God. He was born to reign over His people. The Angel told Joseph that the Child she was carrying:

Matthew 1:21-23 (KJV) And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. 22 Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, 23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

Jesus is Lord. He gave His life for HIS PEOPLE. Salvation is a free gift for whosoever will believe. You must “believe that God has raised Him from the dead”. You must confess Him as Lord, and believe Him as the Conquerer of death, the Savior of the world. This is what causes salvation in a person.

Many people today believe in a type of Christianity that has never been taught by either Apostles or Prophets. There are many who teach that you can receive Christ as Savior alone and be saved. They go even further and state that you can receive Christ as Savior and stay in your sins, that your sins no longer matter to God. Beloved, this is a false Gospel. What did the early Apostles preach? What did Peter preach on the Day of Pentecost? He said:

Acts 2:36-39 (KJV) Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, BOTH LORD AND CHRIST. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

Peter clearly stated that God made Jesus BOTH Lord and Christ. He is LORD. He is the Messiah, the Savior. He is CHRIST. When the hearers heard this Word of Faith they said “What shall we DO?”. What did Peter tell them? Did He say “just believe that, and go on home. You’re saved now.”? No, Peter didn’t. Peter said:

Repent – turn from following other gods
Be Baptized – be obedient to Christ

Christ is BOTH LORD and SAVIOR. Christ commanded Baptism (see Matthew 28:19-20 – teach all nations, BAPTIZING them in the Name..). Gods calls His people into the Kingdom of His dear Son. Jesus is “King of Kings and Lord of Lords” (1 Timothy 6:15; Revelation 1:5; Revelation 17:14; 19:11-16; Deuteronomy 10:17). Where is salvation found? The Apostle says in another place:

Romans 6:18-23 (KJV) Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. 23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

The word translated SERVANTS is the Greek δουλόω douloō which means SLAVES. When we were unsaved and in the world we were enslaved by our sins and by the world, just as Israel was enslaved by Egypt. But freed from captivity we became servants or slaves unto God, just as Israel was. When God saves a person it is so that person can serve HIM and HIM ALONE. Where does salvation come? From Jesus Christ OUR LORD. Pastor John MacArthur wrote in his book The Gospel According to Jesus:

“The gospel call to faith presupposes that sinners must repent of their sin and yield to Christ’s authority.”

He is LORD. Jesus promised eternal life to “His sheep” in:

John 10:7-11, 27-28 (KJV) … Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. 8 All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. 9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. 10 The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep. … 27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

Sheep follow a Shepherd. Jesus is the Shepherd. He is Lord of His people. He said My sheep HEAR MY VOICE and THEY FOLLOW ME. To whom does Christ give eternal life? To those “who follow Me”. Jesus is the Door of the Sheep. Through Christ a person can “enter in and be saved”. When you receive Christ as Shepherd you also recognize that you are His sheep. When you receive Christ as the Door you know that which opens the door is to receive Him as both Savior and Lord.

Faith in The Lord Jesus Always Results In A Changed Life

When a person is saved that person repents of their old way of life and runs to Christ. You place yourself under the Lordship of God in Christ. When you do this, God begins to work in you. Your life changes. The Bible says:

2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV) Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

You do not have the same desires that you had before you met Christ. He is Lord, and as Lord begins to effect a change in you through His Spirit. We who belong to Christ crucify the flesh, daily dying to that old way of life:

Galatians 5:22-24 (KJV)22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. 24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

We no longer chase after the same evils. We are at the point of salvation the Children of God, and we are called to act accordingly. We have repented of our old life, and repent daily. We repent, turning from that old sinful way, and turn toward the LORD Jesus Christ. Sins cannot be blotted out apart from repentance (Acts 3:19; Luke 24:47).

What Is Repentance?

To “repent” is the Greek metanoia, which means “to change the mind”. Prior to repentance we followed anything BUT God. After repentance we follow Christ. Biblical repentance is ALWAYS accompanied by a CHANGE in BEHAVIOR. We read:

Acts 26:20 (KJV) … that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

John the Baptist preached the same truth:

Matthew 3:8 (KJV) Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance:

When you have been saved by faith in the Lord Jesus the Holy Spirit enters your life and changes your behavior patterns. You cease living in the darkness of sin and begin to walk with God in the light.

We are not saved by our works – but once saved we will work for God.

Titus 3:4-8 (KJV) But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

We are not saved by our works – but once saved we will work for God.
We respond positively to the Lordship of Christ.
We enter and live by His Kingdom standard.

Saved by God in Christ we serve the Lord. We are careful to maintain good works knowing that we are of His family. As Christ’s sheep we follow Him.

The saved love Jesus.
The Child of God surrenders to Him.
We willingly obey Him.

John 14:15 (KJV) If ye love me, keep my commandments.

John 14:21-24 (KJV) He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. 22 Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. 24 He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me.

To love Jesus is to obey Jesus. He is Lord. He is Lord of His people. How do I know that I am saved? The Bible is quite clear:

1 John 2:3-6 (KJV) And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

Genuine believers may stumble in their faith, but they will never fall. It has been said that salvation is one repentance unto God the day you are born again, but daily repentance unto God as you live for Him. The genuine Christian lives for the Lord. Here’s a few more Scriptures that emphasizes this great truth:

Romans 14:7-8 (KJV)7 For none of us liveth to himself, and no man dieth to himself. 8 For whether we live, we live unto the Lord; and whether we die, we die unto the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord’s.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (KJV)19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Pastor and Theologian John Piper stated:

“In Colossians 2:6 Paul says, “As therefore you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so live in him.” This is the way we should speak to new believers: you received Jesus in all his offices when you received him for salvation. You did not receive a half-Christ. He is Prophet, Priest and King—and he is this for you. This is the One you received. Now live in him in a way that befits his offices. If you reject him in any of his offices you reject the Christ and are left with one of your own making who cannot save.”

Christ Is Lord Of His People

Romans 10:12-13 (KJV) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Your actions do not save you, but your allegiance does. If you have called upon the name of the Lord then your heart is ready to follow Jesus. We must never cheapen salvation by saying that a person may receive Christ as Savior but not as Lord. The broad road that leads to destruction is to follow the world and worldliness. What did Jesus say?

Luke 13:23-27 (KJV) Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, [24] Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. [25] When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: [26] Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. [27] But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.

Who is cast away from the presence of the Lord? Workers of Iniquity. Those who are living like the worldling, like the unsaved. If you are living like a child of hell on this present earth you will leave this life and go to the home you so richly deserve. Those who enter Heaven are those who love and obey the Lord Jesus Christ. The Apostle said “If you live according to the flesh you will die” (Romans 8:13). God demands that His Blood Bought children do good. A lost person does lost things. God will judge the lost.

Romans 2:4-11 (KJV) Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? [5] But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; [6] Who will render to every man according to his deeds: [7] To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life: [8] But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, [9] Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; [10] But glory, honor, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: [11] For there is no respect of persons with God.

Let us all live for Jesus, if you are indeed saved. He is Lord! He is Savior! And He promises to never leave His people, His sheep, His Church. Praise God for His unspeakable gift! May God touch your hearts with His Word.