Romans 10:9-10 – You Are Saved!

“If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved.” (Romans 10:9-10)

This is a pivotal verse for believers. Could salvation really be this easy? While it sounds simple on the surface, actually following through with such faith can be a difficult thing when we let messages of the world infiltrate our thinking. That’s why it’s a great addition in our toolbox of memory verses.

Context: What a gem Paul shared with the Roman church! Paul opens the chapter by declaring his heart’s desire for all the people of Israel, God’s people, to be saved. For that to happen, they need to know that salvation is for everyone and available only through trusting in Jesus the Messiah. This verse is tucked nicely into all sorts of wisdom on the topic of salvation.

Paul’s instructions are a great starting point when explaining the idea of salvation to others. Verse 9 says it directly, and then verse 10 swoops in to clarify and confirm, lest there be any doubt.

These are great memory verses for us and all believers. I have routinely used them in my children’s ministry classes because it’s a truth that children can grasp. I want them to have this verse memorized as a foundation for their faith that will carry them through life. Plus, it’s also easy to do actions to, and kids love that.

When we can put Bible verses to a tune or do hand or body motions, it’s much easier to remember and commit them to memory. Take a moment to think through today’s verse and how you would do motions to teach it to another person.

While these verses seem like common sense to us believers, sometimes we still fall short in the delivery. When is the last time you openly declared that Jesus was Lord? Do you truly believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead? Have you ever wondered how that happened? It’s a lot to wrap our heads around, isn’t it?

But Paul assures us that it is that belief that makes us right with God. In other words, we are justified; that is one of the central themes of Christianity. It is by what God had done that makes us right, nothing we do. He is the one who raised Jesus from the dead. Jesus is our key, the only way to unlock and enter into salvation.

How does that make you feel? Elsewhere in the book of Romans, Paul said this: “Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us.” (Romans 5:1) Enjoy that peace today, and don’t forget to declare that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Let’s pray. Lord, I come to you with a grateful heart. You are Lord of my life, and I acknowledge that I am only made right with you by your power, love, and mercy. Thank you for the gift of salvation. May I never take it for granted but openly declare that Jesus Christ is Lord every chance I get. Shine your light through me to help others not get lost in the darkness of this world. In Jesus’ name. Amen.