Cost of the Cross

Confession and Faith in the Sovereign Work of God

Romans 10:9 to 10

Romans 10:9 to 10 is one of the most well known passages in all of Scripture, yet it is often misunderstood when removed from its context. Paul writes, “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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved” (ESV).

These verses do not present a formula for salvation based on human effort or verbal performance. Rather, they describe the outward evidence and inward reality of a heart transformed by the sovereign grace of God.

To confess that Jesus is Lord is not merely to acknowledge facts about Him. In the first century, this confession stood in direct opposition to the claim that Caesar was lord. To confess Jesus as Lord is to bow before His absolute authority, trusting Him as Savior and submitting to Him as King. Such a confession is not natural to the fallen heart. Scripture is clear that no one can say “Jesus is Lord” in truth apart from the work of the Holy Spirit.

Paul then points to belief in the heart that God raised Him from the dead. Biblical belief is not intellectual agreement alone. It is a Spirit wrought trust that rests fully in the finished work of Christ. The resurrection stands as God the Father’s public declaration that the sacrifice of Christ was accepted and that sin and death were conquered. To believe this in the heart is to place all hope for justification in Christ alone.

Verse 10 helps us understand the proper order. With the heart one believes and is justified. Justification comes first and it is an act of God, not man. God declares the sinner righteous on the basis of Christ’s righteousness alone. Confession follows as the fruit of that justification. The mouth speaks because the heart has already been changed. Confession does not cause salvation but flows from it.

This truth aligns with the broader teaching of Romans. Earlier Paul reminds us that faith itself is a gift. Dead hearts do not produce living faith. God must first regenerate, granting repentance and belief. When He does, the result is a believer who openly confesses Christ, not out of fear or obligation, but out of gratitude and devotion.

Romans 10:9 to 10 calls us to examine whether our confession flows from genuine faith. It challenges empty profession while comforting the true believer. Salvation is not fragile, dependent on perfect words or flawless performance. It rests securely in the sovereign grace of God, applied through faith, and evidenced by a life that confesses Jesus Christ as Lord.

We always encourage everyone to check everything through the lens of the Scriptures. Be like the noble Bereans of Paul’s day. Please visit us here for much more, and remember, Christ is enough. 

Until we meet again, lets go serve our risen King!

FRF Family