We Believe For It
Have you looked at what is happening in our country with regard to the Coronavirus and its continued spread with the aid of the delta variant? I repeatedly hear the question, “why won't people just get the vaccine?”. Day after day, people make excuse upon excuse for not doing something that is so simple to do in order to protect themselves and save their lives and the lives of others. It simply boils down to whether or not people believe. Do they believe that their lives are in danger and that the vaccine is safe, effective and necessary to save lives. Paul shares a powerful promise in Romans 10:5-17 for those who want to save their lives. The simple step of believing that Jesus died for your sins and was resurrected by the Father, and declaring with outward demonstration that Jesus is Lord over your life, will save you...no matter who you are! I pray this week that you will share with someone regarding the power of belief in and confession of Jesus as Lord for God's plan of salvation...and I pray that they will be saved!
Moses writes this about the righteousness that is by the law: “The person who does these things will live by them.” But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down) “or ‘Who will descend into the deep?’” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: (Rom. 10:5-8) Paul makes it clear, particularly to Jewish people that the righteousness they strive for through the Mosaic law requires that you live perfectly according to the law. This is an impossible thing for us to do and is rooted in a "works" mentality. However, God's plan of salvation provides His righteousness to us through faith. There is nothing extraordinary that we must do to recieve God's righteousness and be saved And we don't have to go up to heaven to meet Christ or go down to the grave and resurrect Christ in order to receive God's righteousness, because it is near to us. Salvation is not complicated! It is near and available at any moment.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 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. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile —the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:9-13) God's righteousness is available to all who believe and confess that Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins and was resurrected. True belief must be demonstrated by a heartfelt inward change and an outward demonstration (confession). God will not disappoint or put to shame by rejecting anyone who calls on the name of the Lord to be saved. No matter what your background, heritage, etc., if you believe in your heart and confess that belief outwardly...you will be saved! Salvation is available to anyone, at any time, in any station in life.
How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” But not all the Israelites accepted the good news. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our message?” Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. (Rom.10:14-17) Paul, as he has done throughout Romans, anticipated an objection that someone might make to what he has said. Paul, how can you expect someone to believe and be saved if they never heard anything about Jesus? Paul reminds the Jewish people that they have had many prophets, including Isaiah who prophesied about Jesus. Even the Gentiles have been aware of God's general revelation including a cursory observation of nature. The bigger issue is that having already heard or been made aware, people have still refused to believe and accept God's offer of salvation. Do you know someone that has not surrendered their life to Christ and let Him be Lord over it? Is the issue that they have not heard, or is it that they have not believed?
Hardly a week goes by where the local or national news does not show a confession from someone in a hospital ICU that has battled with Covid and wants others to know that it is real and they should get vaccinated. They are the ones who are still alive to tell the story. Their hope is that others will hear and believe in order to save their lives. Like them, we have been saved and want others to know that sin is real and it leads to death. But there is someone who can save and give eternal life. His name is Jesus! Paul says Jesus is available to anyone, is ready and near to everyone, and is someone who it is simple to call on and receive salvation... if we will only believe. We who have been saved believe on the Him for our salvation. And not just for our salvation, but for everything in our lives...we can believe the Lord for it!
Blessings,
Rev. Glenn
I invite you to listen to this powerful message in song (from one of my home girls) about the power of believing in the Lord.
"Believe For It" by CeCe Winans
