Early in church history, believers in Jesus as the Christ were persecuted. The enemies of the cross and Christ attempted to destroy the early church. In Acts 8, Saul was consenting to the persecution of the church which is at Jerusalem. After Stephen’s death, believers fled persecution and traveled through Syria, Cyprus, Cappadogia, Galatia, Pamphylia, Asia, Crete, Achaia, Macedonia, Sicily, and Italy. In Antioch, the disciples were first called Christians. Believers were called Christians because they believed and followed Christ and His teachings. In Romans 10, the Apostle Paul’s deep heart’s desire was for the salvation of sinners, especially those of the household of Israel.
Romans 10:1-4 NIV84 Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved. For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness. Christ is the end of the law so that there may be righteousness for everyone who believes.
The true way to righteousness (getting right with God) is through Jesus Christ.
The people of Israel were attempting to get right with God on their own terms and conditions. While they were using the Law as a method of getting right with God, they were by-passing and stumbling over God’s answer for their sins. In all of His wisdom and power, God supplied redemption and justification through His Son. Rather than accepting God’s remedy for sin, they were bypassing God’s salvation and were attempting to achieve righteousness by selectively obeying parts of God’s law.
Romans 10:5 NLT For Moses writes that the law’s way of making a person right with God requires obedience to all of its commands.
Romans 10:6-7 refers to Deuteronomy 30:11-13. In Deuteronomy, they were making it too difficult and beyond reach to obey God’s commands. Paul is bringing that same argument to the faith in Christ.
Romans 10:6-8 NLT But faith’s way of getting right with God says, “Don’t say in your heart, ‘Who will go up to heaven?’ (to bring Christ down to earth). And don’t say, ‘Who will go down to the place of the dead?’ (to bring Christ back to life again).” In fact, it says, “The message is very close at hand; it is on your lips and in your heart.” And that message is the very message about faith that we preach:
Romans 10:9-10 NIV That if you confess 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 confess and are saved.
We come into this great family of God by recognizing the Lordship of Jesus Christ.
We confess with our mouth what we believe in our heart or spirit. Notice that the mouth confesses what we believe in our heart. Anyone can say the words, but true faith comes from an inner conviction that Jesus is Lord.
In Matthew 12:34 NIV Jesus said, For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34 NKJV For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Matthew 12:34 NLT For whatever is in your heart determines what you say.
To truly confess Jesus as Lord, our heart must be convinced that Jesus Christ was raised from the dead.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV That if you confess 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 confess and are saved.
This confession that “Jesus is Lord” is the belief that He is not like any other man.
This confession of faith recognizes that Jesus Christ, God’s Son suffered as a substitute for our sins. The Lordship of Jesus Christ is essential to salvation. If Jesus Christ is not the Lord of our lives, He cannot become our Savior. If He is not our Savior, we do not have hope of eternal life with God in heaven.
The Lordship of Jesus Christ implies two things.
First, it is the proper name for the God of the Hebrews.
He is the Lord Jehovah, (Exodus 6:3; Psalms 83:18; Isaiah 12:2; 26:4). Jehovah is translated “LORD.”
Second, the Hebrew word, ‘adon, means one possessed of absolute control or mastery.
From the word ‘Adon comes the name of God Adoni, meaning “LORD,” (Genesis 15:2; Genesis 18:27). The Greek word is kurios, which means absolute master, Lord.
Both the Hebrew and Greek words show what we are confessing when we say: “Jesus is Lord!”
We are accepting and declaring the fact that Jesus is indeed the Son of God and the Absolute Master of our lives. Think about this for a moment. Both of these thoughts are great statements of our faith.
We believe that Jesus Christ Who was born in Bethlehem is indeed the Son of God.
Romans 10:9-10 NIV That if you confess 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 confess and are saved.
The moment we recognize this in our heart, it is significant.
That moment the heart has realized He is Lord. The heart has recognized its Creator. The heart has recognized its Master. Anyone who recognizes the Lordship of Christ has come to understand that Jesus Christ has power over their life. This is the moment in life where the struggles end and peace floods our souls.
- He is the Sovereign Master, He has absolute authority.
- He is our Bread of Life.
- He is our Protector and Shepherd.
- He is the Healer of our bodies.
- He binds up our brokenness.
- He is the Repairer of the Breach and the Restorer of paths to walk in.
- He is the Lord of Host and my Deliverer.
- He is the Sustainer of life.
- He is our Justifier and Savior.
- He is our Peace and the Love of our life.
What is the significance of this realization that “Jesus Christ is my Lord?”
Colossians 1:13-14 NIV For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.
When our heart accepts these facts, our mouth will overflow with the confession: “Jesus Christ is my Lord.”
At that instant, God the Father rescues and delivers us from the dominion of darkness and conveys us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. The powers that held us captive have no more dominion over our lives and we receive a gigantic transformation. God brings us out of darkness and death into His light and life. He brings us out of condemnation and bondage into no shame and confidence before God. At that moment that we realize and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord, we are brought into the family of God.
1 John 3:1 NKJV Behold what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
Romans 8 showed us that we are now sons of God. Through His love and sacrifice, the Lord Jesus Christ has purchased our redemption. We were foreigners and strangers and were shut out from His promises, but now in Christ, we have received the Spirit of adoption and have been made heirs of God and joint-heirs with Jesus Christ. We were without hope in this world, but now we have access and promise in Christ. In Christ, we are washed and cleansed from our sins. In Christ, we have been clothed in His own righteousness. In Christ, we are given His Spirit, identity and His name. In Christ, we have a new position; we are made to sit with Him in the heavenly places. In Christ, we have a very present help (Advocate) in the presence of the Father.
When we call Him Lord from our heart, we are declaring that He is the Lord of our lives.
When we make Jesus Christ Lord of our life, we will bear the responsibility of it and enjoy the privilege of it. You cannot enjoy the privilege of Jesus being Lord if you do not accept the responsibility of belonging to Him. The responsibility of being a son of God is significant.
John 15:7 NKJV If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
This change does not just get us out of trouble and leave us to our own devices. “I am clean, but I am still weak.” When Jesus Christ becomes Lord, we take up residence in Him. His strength, victory and life becomes ours. When He is Lord, His Words must abide in us. We must assume the responsibility of a son of God.
What does this really mean to take up the responsibilities of sons of God?
You are no longer of the darkness but the light. God gets what He wants out of our life; He is Lord. He receives our fullest confidence, faith and trust. We trust His Word, His power, and His work. We are changed to be His representatives in this world.
Your trust in Christ is the flash-point where your faith will be tested.
Your daily life demonstrates your trust in the Lord. You prove by your word and actions that you have taken His Word to heart and it has become life to you. This faith and confidence in Him knows that He does not fail.
Psalm 27:1 NIV The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?
Regardless of your condition, situation, or contest, your strength is in God’s ability. You are not sufficient within your own strength, abilities, or wisdom, but God is sufficient. The Lord is the strength and stronghold of your life.
Psalm 46:1 NKJV God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.
Isaiah 41:10 NKJV Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
Are you getting the Message?
When Jesus is Lord of your life, the dynamics of your life change. You are no longer a slave to the powers and rulers of darkness. You are a son of His love. When He is your Lord and Master, you need not live in fear and weakness. You don’t need to be shaken-up, downcast or cast down. The Lord is the strength of your life and He will lift you up. You are going to be healed, because the Lord is your healer. You are going to walk out of that trouble, because the Lord is with you. Stop listening to doubts and fear. The Lord says, “My grace and strength are sufficient for you.” You are going to conquer and overcome. The power of God is working mightily on your behalf.
1 John 4:4 NKJV You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.
Isaiah 41:10 NIV So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
God is telling you that when you make Jesus Christ the Lord of your life, He is going to lift you up from defeat into victory.
His grace and power for your life will be enough. His victory will overcome the world. He will make you resilient and strong against the schemes and attacks of Satan. You will be strong in His might and will overcome by His power, blood, and the word of your confession.