Romans 10:10

“Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation.” Romans 10:10

Paul talks about two processes by which we show ourselves as disciples. The two processes are trusting and confessing. I call these processes because neither is a one-time thing. Trusting has to be something we do every hour of every day. The Jewish concept of the heart (lev) is that this is the “total control center of human existence—encompassing intellect, choice, conscience, and spiritual life” (Singer, Isidore; et al., eds. (1901–1906). The Jewish Encyclopedia. New York: Funk & Wagnalls).

Trusting, then, is an active choice-driven process. As we trust, we build a healthy right relationship (righteousness) with God. Think of it this way. A child holds Dad's or Mom’s hand, and as a result, they are safe. Every time this is the outcome, they trust this will always be the outcome. Every time a meal is available, a hungry person begins to trust that there will always be food available when they are hungry. 

Every time we trust God as the redeemer of our souls, we develop trust that our souls are safe in the palm of God’s hand. 

According to Paul, believing God redeems us and trusting with our mind and spirit that God redeems us is not enough. We must also engage the body. This is in part because Jesus tells us in Luke 6:45 that it is out of the overflow of the heart (lev) that the mouth speaks. 

We all know that sometimes the mouth speaks without prior thought. Things tend to slip out if we do not make it a practice to engage the brain first. Paul reminds us that our choices of speech and the process of speaking thoughtfully lead to salvation. We must recognize that salvation is not “going to heaven.” Salvation refers to being rescued from both the power and the penalty of sin. 

This again is a process. I say this because in my life I have seen the changes that occur in me as I live as someone who is saved (rescued) from the power and penalty of sin. This is another seemingly complicated concept. As I live as someone who is trusting, strengthening my relationship with God, my speech changes (what I say and how I say it). This change is because my speech now aligns with my relationship. Now, I must practice speaking in ways that witness to my relationship with God through Jesus. 

First, as my speech changes to reflect my new priorities, I am now influenced by that renewing relationship, not by the brokenness formerly represented by sin (sin’s power). Second, I am now freed from the penalty of sin, which is death. Life now abounds unhindered. 

Trusting and confessing are the processes by which we become disciples. It is a marriage of inner spirituality and outer actions. Thanks be to God. The Holy Spirit equips and empowers us to do both. Unleash this power in your life today and always. Amen.