But the righteousness of faith speaks in this way, “Do not say in your heart, ‘Who will ascend into heaven?’” (that is, to bring Christ down from above) 7 or, “‘Who will descend into the abyss?’”] (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart”(that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. 13 For “whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.”--Romans 10:6-13
These are some of the most beautiful verses in Scripture. The gospel message is so simple. You don't have to climb up into heaven or descend into the land of the dead to get it. The word is near you...it is within your reach...it is yours for the taking. There is nothing about it that is difficult to understand. God's salvation is right in front of us. He comes to us...there is no where we can go from His Spirit. All we need do is respond by a simple confession with our mouth acknowledging that Jesus is Lord and believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead and we are saved.
Now why does it say believe in your heart? The heart is the seat of the will. If you truly believe something with your heart your words and deeds will follow. Your heart needs to line up with what you say as you make Jesus the Lord of your life. Read what Jon Courson says about heart belief.
"Why believe in your heart? Why didn't Paul say believe in your mind? I suggest it is because the Lord is after our heart first. "You shall love the Lord with all your heart and mind and strength and soul" (see Mar_12:30). You see, my mind can be swayed very easily. I'm convinced about something—until I get a new set of facts and change my mind. Or I have an opinion one day and then I flip-flop the next.
But if something is in my heart, I don't change my mind about it daily. For example, at one time in your life, a boyfriend or girlfriend may have turned his or her back on you. Yet your heart was still drawn toward him or her because it's difficult to change your heart. Your mind changes easily, constantly, with every new bit of data. But the heart? It doesn't change so easily. It breaks, but it doesn't change. And so the Lord says, "I want you to believe in Me with your heart—not simply rationally, but emotionally and intimately."
That's it. That is the gospel message. Confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Don't miss the last verses...we are all saved the same way...by grace through faith. There is no difference or distinction between Jew and Greek. the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him...For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. "
Whosoever will come...
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
