Apostle Don Meares
“that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
The revelation in Romans 10:9-10 tells us that there are two things we must do to be saved. We must understand that there was salvation in the past, where you are free from the penalty of sin. There will be salvation in the future, where you are free from the very presence of sin, as you are in eternity with God. But there is also salvation in the present, where you live free from the power of sin. When you see the word “saved” in Scripture, you must examine whether it refers to the past, present, or future.
Paul is speaking to Christians in this passage. This verse is not just about going to Heaven in the future. The author is talking about the present. If you want to be saved and delivered from things now, you will receive salvation if you confess that Jesus is Lord. If you want to be free from the power of sin right now, you must understand the importance of deliverance through confession. This will free you from the world, the flesh, the devil, and the circumstances trying to take dominion in your life. When you confess that Jesus is Lord, you will be set free.
This confession is not for unbelievers but for Christians. This declaration is about Heaven coming to the believer on Earth as part of God’s will. This will happen if you understand the power of confessing that Jesus is Lord.
Making a Public Confession
In Acts 2:36, Peter says:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
In Acts 2, during the Pentecost, Peter explains that the events they have witnessed were prophesied in the Old Testament and that they see the fulfillment of those prophecies. Peter declares that Jesus, whom the people had crucified, is the Messiah, or the promised savior of the Jewish people. His Name is both Lord and Christ. He is bringing His deity alongside His humanity. Jesus performs the anointing as Messiah, prophet, priest, and king.
When we confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord, we also acknowledge that He is the Supreme Ruler and the absolute Sovereign. Everything is put underneath the Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:22-23). Nothing exists in Heaven or Earth or under the Earth that is not under the Lord Jesus Christ. He is also the Head of the Church.
Romans 14:8 tells us, “For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” Jesus Christ is the Lord of both the dead and the living. When you call Him “Lord,” you are saying He is God’s Son. He is a deity, and you also recognize that you have to accept Him as your Supreme Ruler to deal with the world, the flesh, and the devil.
When you confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, you recognize His divine nature. You have to believe in your heart that Jesus was raised from the dead, but you must also confess Him with your mouth as the Lord if you want victory and deliverance for salvation to work for you in the present. This confession will give you power.
A Present Declaration
For salvation to work in this lifetime and to guarantee you eternity, there must be confession —a public agreement to advertise your association with the Lord. When you were baptized, you did not only receive a circumcised heart, but you also proclaimed that you were separated and dead to the world. Your water baptism was a public declaration that you follow Jesus Christ. Because of the Resurrection, you can now receive abundant life.
If you want God the Father to listen to you and give you attention, keep in mind 1 John 2:23:
“Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also.”
A lot of Christians don’t want Jesus to overrule them. They don’t want Him to be their commanding officer. If He cannot override or overrule your desires and decisions, He is not your Lord. Jesus says in Luke 6:46:
“But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?
It’s easy for Christians to declare they believe and follow Jesus on Sundays, but this might be different on weekdays. If we say that Jesus Christ is Lord, then we have to make a stand in the world where there is no shame at any level. In a world that wants you to come under its lordship, you must stand your ground and do what is acceptable to a holy God. Your values should remain intact even when society puts pressure on you.
Sadly, many Christians believe that when they are in front of people with authority, they shouldn’t show their deep belief in Jesus. We shouldn’t shy away from using Jesus’s Name and let them know our stand. We should let them know that Jesus is our Lord, and that our decisions are based on our belief in Him.
Our confession or denial will determine how God sees us. Martyrs like Stephen and Peter were killed because they would not satisfy what people wanted, which was to deny what they believe about Jesus Christ. You have to be prepared to be identified as a Christian.
Prepare to be Blessed
Philippians 2:9-11 reminds us:
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”
When we call on the Name of the Lord, we will get saved—no buts and maybes. If you are truly saved and delivered, there cannot be any area of your life that God is not allowed to break into. He will have authority over your work, finances, relationships, and attitudes. Your eternity has been settled. But even while you’re here on Earth, you will experience His divine presence, intervention, transformation, deliverance, and healing.
When under God’s lordship, the Holy Spirit will lead us to the right people regarding our relationships, connections, and other pursuits. When we stand before others, we must be prepared to pray even for those who might not understand what we stand for.
If you are under His lordship, you are qualified to receive transference of wealth. You will be up to the task of handling finances that deal with nations. If God deems you righteous, the wealth of the wicked will be given to you. Those who are truly saved will experience abundant life here on Earth.
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