Romans 10:8-9, “The Word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved.” (New American Standard Bible)
I asked a soldier if he was a Christian. He answered, “Sure, Chaplain; I’m an American!” I’m afraid being a Christian takes more than US citizenship.
The church needs to be on guard against the notion that becoming a Christian is merely an act of accepting that Jesus is Who He claimed to be, with no visible change of life. We’re saved by “faith”, but he NT Greek word translated as “faith” (Gk pistis) is better understood as fidelity, loyalty, and allegiance. Genuine faith results in a transformed outlook and behavior. Salvation isn’t just about getting into Heaven; it’s getting Heaven into us. We respond to the Gospel message by turning from our selfish ways of living and taking on a new way of life. “How we act is the only accurate sign of our faith” (Dennis Prager). A Christianity that does nothing is worth nothing.
We believe in Jesus. I believe Kim Jong Ill is the leader of North Korea, but he’s not my leader; in fact, he’s my enemy. Assent is not enough to save anyone. The Bible says that even the demons believe. Saying we believe in Jesus without living for Him is demon-faith. Assent says “Jesus is Lord.” Allegiance takes “Jesus as Lord.” Saying “Jesus is Lord” is history. Saying Jesus is my Lord” is salvation! We are saying “yes” to Jesus being Lord. Christ is on the throne of our lives! We occasionally test ourselves to see if our commitment is real. In this Romans 10:9 declaration, we are acknowledging Christ’s authority and affirming His divinity. Paul takes this a step farther in chapter 12, urging us to to “offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.”
We are justified by faith, not by works. That was the battle-cry of the Reformation. Being justified means that God declares us righteous and the record of our sins is wiped clean by the blood of Christ. This is as a free gift of grace by faith and not moral achievement. But genuine faith is verified by what happens next; there’s evidence: “By their fruit you will know them,” Jesus said (Mt 7:20). When we understand faith as allegiance, salvation isn’t just “fire insurance”; it’s a new worldview and lifestyle. Jesus saves us when we turn to Him and He continues to save us. We “were” saved, and we are “being” saved. The Apostle Paul says we’re “new creations” in which our old life is passing away in a process of spiritual renewal (II Cor 5:17). Earlier in Romans Paul declares that “the just will live by faith” (1:17). Faith is not faith if it is not lived. Merely saying we believe is no proof. We need an active faith. We’re not sinless, but we sin less. We’re not perfect, but we’re making progress. Martin Luther, who started the Protestant Reformation said, “Truly if faith is there, believers cannot hold back…they break out into good works.”
That soldier I talked to knew that by joining the Army, he was pledging allegiance and embarking on a new life. Joshua, a military commander, declared to Israel: “Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve...as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (24:15). Military recruits take an “Oath of Enlistment,” swearing to protect and defend our nation. An "Oath of Allegiance" is taken by those who become naturalized citizens of the United States, renouncing prior allegiances. Paul writes in Philippians 3:20, “Our citizenship is in Heaven.” A Brit who becomes an American is no longer subject to the king. When we trust Christ, we’re subject to the King of kings. As Romans 10:9 insists, to take Jesus as Lord means to come under His lordship. We’re joining the Army of the Lord, an all-volunteer army...and by committing to Christ as Lord, we become citizens of the Kingdom of God, a Kingdom defined by the cross and empty tomb. We submit to Christ’s authority, acknowledging His supremacy. He is our Commander, our leader. We’re “Under new Management.” This changes everything.
The idea of being under authority does not sit well with some people. They want to set their own rules and make their own truth, with no accountability. Christ as Lord is not agreeable to them. So they replace moral absolutes with personal preferences. When people treat them unfairly (according to what they think is right or wrong), they don’t seem to realize that those people are living according to their preferences. Remove moral absolutes and “anything goes.” If you don’t wish to answer to a Higher Power, Christianity is not for you...but think what moral relativism can do to people.
James insisted “Faith without works is dead.” “If we are not changed by grace, then we are not saved by grace” (Tozer). Righteous living keeps faith alive. Is our faith real or counterfeit? Can we be genuine believers if we have no interest in following our Savior? We’re not saved by good works but for good works. No one can be saved by works...and no one can be truly saved without producing works. In John 14, Jesus states: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments.” This is the cost of discipleship. But some people only appear Christian...
Perhaps you’ve heard of “stolen valor.” This is where civilians who’ve never served in the military claim that they have. They wear medals they didn’t earn, and hats of units in which they didn’t serve, and they proudly say that they are veterans. They do so to gain respect, admiration, financial benefits, and a sense of belonging they haven’t earned. It’s a deceptive act, exploiting society’s respect for military service and sacrifice. These pretenders must be very insecure. I feel sorry for them. Occasionally they’re “called out” by genuine veterans. When we stand before God, all pretense and hypocrisy will be revealed.
So, what must we do to be saved? Romans 10:9 says the first thing we do is “confess.” This word can mean to admit our sins, and it also means to declare our beliefs. A “Confession of Faith” is a creed, a list of the teachings we affirm to be true, like the Apostles Creed; truths that transform. But “creeds must be turned into deeds” (Rick Warren). If we are committed to Christ, our desire is to live faithfully for Him.
Jesus said, “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will acknowledge before my Father in Heaven” (Mt 10:32). Jesus wants us to “go public” with our faith. That’s confession. No true Christian is in the “secret service.” In claiming Jesus as Lord, “Claim and conduct must be compatible” (David Wells). If we’re “talking the talk” we need to be “walking the walk.” Jesus said, “No one can follow two masters” (Mt 6:24). Divided loyalty isn’t discipleship. Discipleship involves unlearning the destructive, godless ways we used to live. Discipleship is a commitment to forsake the past and begin walking in a new direction, with a new destination. Surrendering to God’s will becomes easy when we enthrone Jesus in our lives.
To confess faith in Christ in the 1st Century was hazardous. The Roman Empire insisted that everyone acknowledge “Caesar as Lord.” Yet Christians were claiming that Jesus holds the highest authority. A Christian confession in those days meant that obedience to Christ came first. “In all things, He has preeminence,” Colossians 1:18. Because the Roman emperors viewed this as disloyalty, Christians were put to death for their confession. No one took allegiance to Christ lightly. The Empire would not allow it. “To confess Jesus as Lord was to take a stand with Him and against one’s culture. It was a confession that put believers at risk. It was a confession set believers apart from all others” (Bob Deffinbaugh).
The Christian Church is called the “Bride of Christ.” At weddings, couples take vows, confessing their love and pledging their fidelity. This we do when we commit to Christ, our sovereign Lord and Bridegroom. We pledge our lives to Him. We don’t do this casually. Conversion is more than “checking a block.” Like marriage, the Christian life is as covenant we make before God.
That soldier I talked to had enlisted and went through Basic Training, an intense, disciplined, life changing experience. Drill Sergeants mold recruits, teaching them skills to be effective soldiers. They’re driven hard. I went to Officers Basic Training at the Army Chaplains School, more of a gentleman’s course. New converts to Christ need to learn the basic teachings of the Christian faith and practices that lead to spiritual maturity. Disciples are made, not born. Unlike the Army, we learn without being yelled at! We enlist in the Lord’s Army, a disciplined life to the glory of God.
So, what is distinctly Christian about our conduct? If we were arrested for our faith, would there be enough evidence to convict us? Are we following Jesus? Are we committed to Him? If not, we’re pretending, flying false colors. Genuine faith is loyal allegiance to King Jesus. Following Him means we adopt His Way of life. Our beliefs determine our behavior. Our passports prove we’re citizens of the US. Our lives prove we’re citizens of Heaven.
?Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are worthy of glory, of sovereign majesty. Each day is the proving ground of what we believe and of whom we worship. No one will believe we have a new life unless they see a new lifestyle. We can’t do this on our own, Lord. We need Your help to empower us in our faith-walk. Help us to make progress. Victory is ours thanks to You, and we praise You for guiding us each step of the way. In our lives, Lord, be glorified. Amen.
