Romans 10:10-13 “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, ‘Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.’ For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
“The heart in the Bible was thought to be a sort of "control center" from which all our decisions were made. So, when we read about the heart in the Bible, it is about the place where you have your will, your attitude, and intentions, and which is the source of your thoughts, actions, and words. This heart is the core of who you are as a person.” [1]
“To believe that the character, abilities, and purposes of a person are worthy of entire confidence; - especially that his promises are wholly trustworthy.”- J. H. Newman. [2]
I began this post with some clarification regarding our heart and belief. You see, it’s not simply believing as in giving mental acknowledgement to someone or something. Scripture is clear, “You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror.” [James 2:19] It isn’t in the believing that makes you saved, per se, it is believing and then acting on that belief. Anyone can simply believe in something or someone, but how has that belief changed your life?
Our focus is supposed to be on Jesus Christ; his life, ministry, and subsequent death and what that all means to us personally. It should mean that a purchase has been made on our behalf. It should mean that purchase pay off our sin debt, which we had been accumulating our entire life. Do you understand what that means? It may not be until you watch a movie like Mel Gibson’s THE PASSION, which graphically depicts Christ’s crucifixion, that what was done for you finally sinks in. It was preplanned and acted on solely for our benefit. So don’t say you are a Christian unless you truly know what it all entails and what is expected of you.
Jesus said in Matthew 16:24-26 that we are to pick up our cross (figuratively)
and follow him. He also asks a rather poignant question: “…what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?” If you intend to swim you don’t go into the water up to your knees, you go in all the way. If you tell people you are a Christian, be prepared to display your beliefs as a means of testifying to the world that belief. Until next time, walk with the King and be a blessing.
Richard Keller
Bread of Life Ministries
[1] https://activechristianity.org/what-is-the-heart
[2] John Henry Newman (February 21, 1801 to August 11, 1890) - was an English theologian, scholar, and poet, first an Anglican priest and later a Catholic priest and cardinal.
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