By Michael Julian
Pastor, Macedonia Baptist Church, Kenton
Focal Passage: Romans 10:8b-17
Unfortunately, many today might find the phrase, “Jesus saves,” to be a cliche. Oh, and I am talking about those outside the church, too. We have developed within the church the fantastic ability to take the simple and make it complex.
We have also mastered taking something profound and making it run-of-the-mill. We possess the greatest message in the world, because we serve the undisputed God of the universe, serve the incomparable risen Christ, and are led by the unmatchable Holy Spirit.
As we think upon the gospel message, we must unapologetically confess Christ as Lord. There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we can be saved. He holds the name that is above every name. He is fairer than the fairest.
The message associated with the Lord Jesus is both exclusive and inclusive. Exclusive because Christ stated that He is the way, the truth, and the life. No alternatives exist. Inclusive because all who will confess the Lord Jesus shall be saved from their sin and have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life. Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Jesus saves is not a cliche.
Michael Julian
Romans 10:8b-10: These verses provide a clear picture of what is necessary for salvation. But, as noted before about making the simple complex, we should not make a dogmatic formula for what people must repeat in order for them to be saved.
The focus here is upon the resurrection of Christ and the lordship of Christ. Most importantly, we acknowledge this as a message of faith. This word can be misunderstood, but we know that it encompasses total trust in the Lord. And by calling him Lord, we also understand that this signifies agreement that the Son and the Father are one.
Notice that the heart and the mouth are important in the message of salvation. One’s heart includes the mind, will, emotions and beliefs. The Lord frowns upon half-hearted commitments.
As you travel through the Scriptures, you consistently learn of the praise afforded those who follow God wholeheartedly. The mouth can be used for good or bad. Here, the good is in play because of the confession, or agreement, with the mouth done in a public manner.
For those in Rome, where challenges to Caesar draw the attention of the empire, confession by the mouth speaking from the overflow of the heart boldly proclaims the message that Jesus saves.
Romans 10:11-13: Could there be better news in all the world? Salvation exclusively rests in Jesus, and inclusively calls to all who would believe. Those who come to Christ for salvation will never be ashamed. In other words, there are no regrets later. They don’t conclude later that this was a mistake. They come under the rich blessings of the Lord all their days. This is what we offer a lost world with, “Jesus saves.”
Romans 10:14-17: It is clear that we have to communicate this salvation message. Some will hear and believe, while some will hear and ignore. This does not lessen Christ’s command nor negate our mandate. Christ is counting on our faithfulness. Let’s blanket the world with the greatest message ever conceived. Jesus saves. B&R
