Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
This is one of the simplest statements in the Bible about how to be saved. Although it is simply stated, it is packed with meaning. Faith comes from “the heart.” The heart in the Bible represents the essence of one’s life. In modern terms, it might be one’s awareness or consciousness. In terms of Paul’s writing, the heart could be similar to the mind, one’s place of thinking and decisions. To believe in the heart involves setting the direction of one’s life. It is to put one’s life in the care and control of Jesus. “Believe” is more than intellectual but requires an act of obedience. One’s life must change also because of repentance. This inner change working to outer change will become evident. The verbal confession of faith should confirm this by inviting other people to see this change of allegiance. Simply saying a verbal confession once a week in a church service is not adequate. It can help because it reinforces one’s inner decision, but unless it is followed by obedience, it becomes meaningless. Salvation comes to those who put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and live out this faith through consecration and commitment. This does not mean that all struggles end but rather that one’s direction in life changes. In fact, the struggles may increase because the world will try to pull the believer back because of temptations.
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