"if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

 

 

By now, you all most likely know about my involvement with the youth and young adults in this Diocese.  But, another aspect of my wider ministry is dealing with theological matters- of matter of faith and practice. 

 

I've sat on the Bishop's theological committee, I've been sent to divers and sundry parishes to discuss theological matters...and I've been invited to other denominations to talk about those differences in faith and practice.

 

So, needless to say, I've spent a good deal of time thinking about the Christian faith.  At times it can get sort of complicated and at times even trying.

 

And in those conversations, I have had a few that stick out and are hard to forget. 

 

One time I was confronted by the pastor of a certain church that held that only his particular church body, with its certain professions of faith and its certain code of conduct were going to Heaven...they were the only ones who were saved. 

 

He was convinced of the fact that only a very select few would ever see the Glory of God...and that the majority of those who claim to be Christian are actually not...and would suffer eternally for it.

 

Another memorable event occurred at my old cure.  We had several outdoor places of devotion.  In particular, we had a statue of Mary and another of the Arch-Angel Michael. 

 

I was asked to host a gathering of local clergy for community ministry.  Needless to say, we didn't get to far.  One particular pastor walked past the statues of Mary and Michael and was so upset that he began to try and save me...he was certain I was not a real Christian because we had a devotion to Mary and Michael. 

 

And then there are the constant arguments over moral theology and rules of community.

 

There are over 1,500 registered denominations in these United States.  And all of those different Churches didn't come about because everyone thought it would be a grand idea to have as many possible different churches as possible.

 

They came about because people had serious disagreements...and more often than not...people became convinced that certain people with certain ideas were damned...and they wanted nothing to do with them. 

 

And over the years...I have had my share of conversations and confrontations about these type of matters.  In fact...I've spent so much time dealing with it and hearing so many different ideas of who's right and who's wrong...who is saved and who isn't that frankly, its hard not to get discouraged and downhearted with it all.  Especially when Jesus Christ prays, "that they all may be one."

 

This morning, the apostle speaks: "because, if you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans X.ix RSV)

 

According to the Apostle Paul, all one must do is confess, or say aloud, or admit publically that Jesus Christ is Lord...and in your heart believe that God raised Him from the dead.

 

So...who is saved then?   Anyone who wants to be saved.  Anyone who truly believes that Jesus Christ is Lord of the universe and believes that God raised Him from the dead.

 

Remembering a few years back...I was asked to speak at a conference on prayer in Birmingham Alabama.  There were many Christian traditions present.  In particular...there was a Greek Orthodox monk. 

 

At one point he was fielding questions from people in the other traditions.  There are not an overabundance of Orthodox Christians in the Southeast...so, to many, he was an enigma, he was an unknown...and he was viewed with suspicion. 

 

As a side note, the Eastern Orthodox Church claims to be the only true Church...and that other traditions are mere sects and not fully the Church of Jesus Christ. 

 

Some of the other traditions knew this...and began to badger this monk about the beliefs his Church held.

 

Someone finally got annoyed enough to shout, "How can you say that we are not a part of the Church of Jesus Christ!"  "Are you saying that we are not saved?"

 

His answer enraged a few at the conference.  He quoted our epistle this morning saying that anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus Christ will be saved. 

 

It was bad enough for him claim to be the only true Church...but to say that anyone who calls on the Name of Jesus is saved...this was too far. 

 

For some at the conference of prayer, it was overboard to say that that was all that was necessary for Salvation.

 

But it is that simple...to believe in Jesus Christ and to confess Him raised from the Dead...that is salvation.

 

But the question then must be asked... "what does it then mean to believe in Jesus Christ and that God raised Him from the Dead?"

 

According to Paul it means everything...the world...life itself...eternity.

 

To believe.  The word believe, as Christians use it, finds its home in the Latin word, Creedo.  To Believe.

 

And we use the word every Sunday and High Holy Day when we recite the Nicene Creed.  "I believe in One God, the Father Almighty..."

 

When we say those words, we do not intend to merely acknowledge the existence of God...or to say, yes- God is real. 

 

To believe is to put your trust in God.  To hold God as the highest power and guide and principal in your life.

 

To believe is to hold dear...to hold first and foremost God, and to let that relationship dictate all your actions and all your other relationships. 

 

To believe is to pattern your life after the precepts of God in Jesus Christ.  To take to heart what he has told us...to want to follow Him more and more. 

 

To believe.  To believe is to enter a life of transformation...living more and more into the love of God in Jesus Christ.

 

"If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

 

While it is true that belief in Christ dictates that we live in community...or are members of the Church...and it is there things have always been, are, and will forevermore be messy as we debate and work out what is right and what is wrong.

 

...Salvation is beautiful in its simplicity...if you believe on Jesus Christ, and believe that God raised Him from the Dead, you are saved.

 

So while arguments fly about...while people accuse one another of not being saved...while people bandy about what is the true Church...and how should we truly act...never forget the words of the Aposlte....

 

 "If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."