In Romans 10:9 Paul said if we confess with our mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe it in our heart we will be saved. I believe it in my heart but don’t remember if I ever said it with my mouth. I think I probably did but am not sure. I am housebound and don’t see anyone anymore but my wife and worry now that I may not be saved since I may not have confessed it with my mouth. Can you help me?
Romans 10:9 actually says, “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.”
The Greek word translated confess means “to agree”, so this verse says you must audibly agree that Jesus is the Lord, the one God sent to die for your sins. Most everyone who has ever said the sinners prayer has done that, but if you aren’t sure you did, just say it out loud. It doesn’t matter if you’re alone or not. God can hear you. Just say, “Jesus I believe you are the Lord, the one God sent to die for my sins.”
Believing in our heart that God raised Him from the dead means you believe His death paid the penalty for all your sins. When Jesus went to the cross, all of our sins were placed on Him (Isaiah 53:5, Colossians 2:13-14). If the penalty for any of those sins had remained unpaid when Jesus died, God could not have raised Him up. Believing in your heart that God did raise Him up means you believe the full penalty for all your sins has been paid.
Romans 10:10 says it’s with our heart that we believe and are justified (made righteous, acceptable to God) and with our mouth that we confess (agree) and are saved.