Tuesday, Oct. 2

To download an audio version of this, click here.

Romans 10:9-11

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 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.”

Like most pastors, I’ve participated in more than my share of weddings. And I can honestly say that most of the weddings I have participated in have been beautiful. I say “most” - because I once was asked to officiate a wedding where the bride insisted on a medieval theme and asked the guests as well as the bridal party to dress up in medieval garb – pointy hats, tights and poofy sleeves – the whole deal. That wasn’t beautiful – it was plain weird!

But for me the most beautiful part of a wedding is not the flowers, or the decorations, or the bridesmaids dresses, or even the bride herself, although each of these are always lovely! The most beautiful part of a wedding, for me, is the vows.

A man and a woman stand face to face and say things to each other that almost never fail to bring tears to my eyes. They say things like,

“I promise before God and these witnesses to be your loving and faithful husband; in plenty and in want; in joy and in sorrow; in sickness and in health; as long as we both shall live.”

I have noticed through the years that when the bride and groom begin to speak these words out loud, their voices change. Sometimes the change is obvious through an emotional quiver; sometimes the change is very subtle - their voices become just a little softer; but there is almost always a change – and that is what makes the vows so beautiful. There is something about the public confession of love, faithfulness and undying loyalty that brings a lump to my throat.

Paul writes:

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Now, Paul is not saying that there is anything magical about saying certain words out loud. He is not creating another “religious hoop” that we must jump through in order to be saved. He has already pounded home the message that salvation is by faith alone, and here he clearly teaches that faith takes place in the heart. So what does he mean?

I think Paul is encouraging the outward, verbal confession of faith for three reasons. First, our public confession of Christ helps us to affirm our faith. God already knows our hearts. But when we confess our faith before others, God uses that confession to anchor and strengthen our faith. Second, I think God wants us to confess our faith because our words and our faith can encourage others. Third, the making of an outward confession of faith requires a decision of the mind, heart and will.

Imagine a wedding where, when it came time for vows, the groom looked at his bride, then at me, and said, “I’d really rather keep my feelings for her private at this time.”

That groom may, indeed, love his bride with everything in him. And she may know that he loves her. But his lack of public proclamation of that love robs him of the opportunity to express and affirm his love; robs everyone in attendance of the chance to celebrate his love; and allows him to avoid the commitment of a decision.

Have you made your decision about Jesus? Have you received the gift of grace that he has offered? And, if you have, when was the last time you professed that decision? When was the last time you expressed your faith; your love for Christ; and you dependence on him for salvation out loud – and in the presence of others?

Faith is a decision of mind, heart and will. Once that decision is made, Paul says, it is to be confessed. It needs to be confessed because the world needs to hear us say, and we need to hear ourselves say, “Jesus is Lord.”

Pastor Brian Coffey