Expert: Brenda Martin - 1/2/2009

Question
Hi. In Romans 10:9 it says about how we should confess with our mouths.
Why do we need to do that, please?
Does it mean we need to tell someone I believe in Jesus or just to not deny
Him if someone asks?
Also, what if you are a Christian, but then even just for a second turn away
but then return to Him... if no-one knew you had turned away do you still
need to confess with your mouth as everyone already knows you believe in
Christ?
Thank-you.

Answer
HI there Libby you asked--"ROMANS 10:9 WHY CONFESS?"

Let’s look at the context of Paul’s words---

When Paul wrote the book of Romans, God had already cast off Israel as a nation. Still, the apostle affirmed: “The goodwill of my heart and my supplication to God for them are, indeed, for their salvation.” His hope was that individual Jews might gain accurate knowledge of God’s will, leading to their being saved. (Romans 10:1, 2)

Showing his own goodwill toward both Jew and Gentile, Paul preached at every opportunity. He “would persuade Jews and Greeks.” He told the elders of Ephesus: “I did not hold back from telling you any of the things that were profitable nor from teaching you publicly and from house to house. But I thoroughly bore witness both to Jews and to Greeks about repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 18:4; 20:20, 21)

In verse 8 Paul goes on to say--“The word is near you (Christians in Rome), in your own mouth and in your own heart’; that is, the ‘word’ of faith, which WE (Paul) are preaching.” (Romans 10:8)

As we preach that “‘word’ of faith,” it becomes more and more deeply engraved in our hearts. It was so with Paul, and his further words were to strengthen the Christians resolve to be like him in sharing that faith with others: “If you publicly declare that ‘word in your own mouth,’ that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)


"WHAT DOES IT MEAN?"

Not only is this confession made before others at the time of baptism but it must be a continuing confession, a zealous public testimony about all the grand facets of bible truths. These must be the same truths that Paul preached;-- the precious name of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah; our Messianic King and Ransomer, the Lord Jesus Christ; and the magnificent Kingdom promises.

So Paul was teaching the Christians to "preach" just as Jesus had done while on earth & left this same command for Christians today. (Matthew 24;14) Matthew 28;19,20)

"WHAT IF YOU ARE A CHRISTIAN & NO-ONE KNEW YOU HAD TURNED AWAY; DO YOU STILL NEED TO CONFESS WITH YOUR MOUTH?"

The bible explains what minor & major sins are; minor ones can be resolved by praying to God for forgiveness, major ones need another approach—

If a Christian commits a serious sin, confession helps them to regain a good conscience. (1 Tim. 1:18-20) But failure to confess could result in a defiled conscience that could lead a person into more sin. We have to remember that our sin is not just against another human or the congregation. It is against God.

The scriptures tell us that; God will not bless anyone who hides a gross sin and tries to stay in the clean Christian congregation. (Jas. 4:6)

However as we’ve looked at, Romans 10; 9 is not speaking about that kind of “confessing”

I’m away for the weekend, but be happy to answer any further questions when I get back on Monday ok.

All the best
Brenda