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What must we do to be saved?

Romans 10.9-13 provides the answer:

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. As the Scripture says, “Anyone who trusts 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.”

Notice several things about this answer:

First, it excludes human effort. Suppose a swimmer is drowning. A lifeguard races out to rescue him. Does the swimmer do anything to rescue himself? Nothing, except trust the lifeguard to bring him safely to shore. Similarly, we do not contribute anything to our own salvation except putting our faith in the Great Life Saver. He does for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

Second, it includes public confession. Paul mentions confessing with the mouth twice in these verses. He does not mean mumbling to ourselves. Instead, he means giving a public witness to our faith in Christ. And what specifically are we supposed to confess? That Jesus is Lord. In the Old Testament, the word Lord refers to God. To confess that Jesus is Lord means to publicly affirm that he is divine. And if he is divine, then we ought to love and obey him, for that is the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22.37-40).

Third, it requires heartfelt belief. Obviously, anyone can mouth the words, “Jesus is Lord.” But our mouths ought to confess what is truly in our hearts. In these verses, Paul says that we ought to have a heartfelt belief in Jesus’ resurrection. His resurrection is the key to everything, as far as Christians are concerned. If Jesus did not rise from the dead, then we will not either. If he has, then we will too.

Fourth, it excludes bigotry. The Great Life Saver does not discriminate between drowning souls. Since Paul’s special interest is with Jews and Gentiles, he mentions them. In our day, we might mention others: Israelis, Lebanese, Iraqis, Iranians, Mexicans, Canadians, and even us Americans. Paul quotes two Old Testament passages to prove the inclusiveness of salvation. Isaiah 28.16 says, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame.” And Joel 2.32 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Anyone means everyone, and everyone excludes no one, including you.