confess and believe

Good morning sisters and brothers,
Paul contrasts the righteousness we sometimes look for in the law, righteousness we think we can control, with the true righteousness of trusting in God. Rather than counting on our ability to follow the law we simply trust in God's love to save us. Paul lays out two steps to be joined to Christ's righteousness by faith. We confess (or proclaim) with our lips that Jesus is Lord and we believe in our heart that God raised him from the dead. When we confess that Jesus is Lord we refuse to be ruled by other masters that try to claim our ultimate allegiance (sin, wealth, beauty, popularity, etc). When we believe in our heart that God raised Christ from the dead we know and trust that not even death can defeat God's love. That is a powerful combination, and it frees us from everything that seeks to separate us from God. Trust in the Lord and he will give you peace.

God bless,
Sam

Romans 10:1-11

Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved. 2I can testify that they have a zeal for God, but it is not enlightened. 3For, being ignorant of the righteousness that comes from God, and seeking to establish their own, they have not submitted to God’s righteousness. 4For Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.


5Moses writes concerning the righteousness that comes from the law, that “the person who does these things will live by them.” 6But the righteousness that comes from faith says, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7“or ‘Who will descend into the abyss?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8But what does it say? “The word is near you, on your lips and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because 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. 10For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11The scripture says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.”