Believe and Confess

It is common for Romans 10:9-11 to be read very narrowly, as if it is some sort of formula for instant and unconditional eternal security.

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed."

True faith from the heart in the Lord Jesus is the requirement for vindication (God in His love stating "you are right") and then confession of our mouth is made unto salvation and the scripture saith "whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed" (v. 11).  The confession of our mouth is a life-long calling.  Hence, Jesus is quite serious when he says he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:13) and no man putting his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).  The Apostle Paul states, "if we deny Him, He will deny us" (2nd Tim. 2:12).  Yet, if we abide in Christ, obedient to the New Covenant purchased for us with innocent blood, we look forward to the crown awaiting us (2nd Tim. 4:6-8).  

As disciples of Jesus, we must yield ourselves to the Spirit after we have been purged from our former life of sin and rebellion (2nd Peter 1:9) and therein bear much fruit that the Father may be glorified (John 15:8).  

A mere profession of faith is no faith at all unless accompanied by the power of the Spirit to mortify the deeds of the flesh and overcome sin, Satan, and the world.  It is far too easy to claim the title of a Christian in this day and time, deceiving oneself that the Gospel is more like a permanent vaccine against hell than a glorious message of individual and corporate redemption.

Zion's Harp #175 - The Faith of the Fathers

v.1   Spirit by whose operation faith and holiness proceed, source of heavenly conversation, strength in weakness, help in need; Spirit, by whose inspiration Prophets and Apostles spake; martyrs bled and tribulation saints endured for Jesus' sake.

v. 4   Give us Joseph's chaste behavior when the world with crafty wiles seeks to draw us from the Savior to herself with frowns or smiles. Give us grace and strength for shunning this ensnaring Potiphar, wisdom to elude her cunning, strength her open hate to bear. 

v6.   Arm us with Thy true discernment as Elijah, in these days when men, led by superstition, to false idols altars raise. Let us shun a mere profession common in our days and land, witnessing a good profession, even if alone we stand.

Jesus Christ says "But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him." (John 4:23)