| The Sinner's Prayer, Part 6 |
 |
 |
 |
| Written by David Lawrence |
| Monday, August 29 2005 00:00 |
|
We are justified by faith alone. Saving faith finds expression. When faith is expressed, we know that it is truly saving faith. One expression of saving faith, as we have seen, is the sinner's prayer. Two Biblical examples have been given: that of the publican and that of the criminal on the cross. There are other expressions of faith, but all of them point to the reality of the fact that we have settled matters with God by coming to terms with our own sin and spiritual bankruptcy, and we have trusted in Christ for salvation. Paul writes to the Roman Christians in Romans 10:9-10: "…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." Paul establishes what we concluded in examining the case of the publican: one is justified by faith that is in the heart. One is not justified by his confession or his prayer, but the confession or prayer is a manifestation of faith. It is an expression of faith impelled by the reality of that faith. Paul clearly teaches that one believes in his heart and is justified. But he adds that one confesses with his mouth that Jesus is Lord and is saved. We need to see confession on a parallel with prayer, and by the time one makes such a confession, he may be sure that he has been justified. But what does Paul mean by his being saved through his confession? Is he teaching that we must do something that effects our salvation? In verse 9 he uses the future tense "will be saved," and in verse 10 the present tense "is saved." If we carefully compare this usage with Paul's teaching on salvation by grace, as in Ephesians 2:8-9, we can conclude that when a justified person confesses Christ, he may be sure that he is saved and will be saved at the judgment. He is not saved because of his confession, but his confession, growing out of true faith, is an assurance of his salvation. |
Join our Devo Mailing List
We'd be honored to send you our devotionals via email. To be included on our list please visit our Contact page and write us a request.