Romans 10:8-9 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
The Romans had heard the gospel and responded, but the door was wide open for others to come to faith. These verses are part of an invitation for not just the Romans but is a general message to all people. Paul quotes another part of Deuteronomy 30:14 and adds a brief interpretation that connects this passage to the needs of his audience. The gospel has been described in this letter. Paul has repeated different nuances of it many times using different descriptions, metaphors, and logical argument. Verse 9 is one of the most succinct and simple statements of how to receive the gospel found in this letter. It has three parts. First, a person must confess Jesus to be Lord. This confession was part of the baptismal statements of early Christians and throughout the ages. When someone says this is true faith, it is a response to what the Holy Spirit has been doing in his or her life (1 Corinthians 12:3). To say Jesus is “Lord” requires commitment, faith, and laying one’s own priorities and prerogatives aside. It is the required step in the sanctification process. This confession must be accompanied by inner faith that the message about Jesus’ resurrection is true. This faith is required because the whole promise of the gospel rests on this premise. One must believe that Jesus was more than just a martyr or man but that he was God’s promised answer to the problem of sin. Based on these two requirements, a person can be saved. This is more than simply saying out loud in some form of verbal confession but requires a deep disposition of the inner person, the “heart.” Only God can search the heart of a person, but God will see the intent and faith.
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