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.
Paul points out that it is with the heart that a person believes unto righteousness. Salvation is not merely based on a whim, an intellectual exercise, or the acquisition of some factual knowledge. Salvation must rest on a genuine, bona fide, heart-endearing, faith in God and His Son, Jesus Christ Who was sent by the Father be the sacrifice for the sin of the whole world. However, because of this passage in Romans, there are many who claim that there are two, distinct steps to salvation. Indeed, their interpretation of this particular verse can cause considerable concern and much confusion. They teach that to be saved one must take two specific steps: First, “believe” the gospel of grace in the heart, and Second, “confess” Jesus as Lord, with their mouth, before other people. “Otherwise,” they argue, “you are not properly saved.” Although this passage is used to teach that publicly confessing that ‘Jesus is Lord’ is necessary for salvation…a systematic study of every passage on salvation, clearly shows that public confession is not a requirement for salvation. Scripture must be studied in context and if we are to establish the correct meaning of a passage…and religious ignorance, intolerance, or arrogance is no excuse for an incorrect interpretation of God’s Word. The Gospel of John describes various people who believed in their hearts for salvation…but they did not confess Jesus as Lord before men with their mouths ‘for fear of the Jews’ or ‘for fear of being put out of the synagogue’. Joseph of Arimathea and certain other secret disciples were saved by believing in Christ for salvation…but they did not openly confess Jesus as Lord before others…and their reserve was out of fear. If confession with the mouth leading to righteousness is synonymous with believing in the heart leading to salvation, we must clarify “to whom” we confess and “in whom” we believe. Our faith must be “in” the person and work of Jesus Christ, Whom God has sent and our confession must be “to” the Lord our God and not before other men…as so many like to teach. It is God alone Who looks on the thoughts and intents of the heart. God alone knows if our faith is genuine. God alone knows if we truly believe in our heart that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose on the third day, according to the Scripture. And when a person believes on the Lord Jesus Christ in their heart for the forgiveness of their sins…God knows and He saves.
Spiritual Steve 