Believe and Confess

October 9

(Luke 23:47-49 NIV) ““The centurion, seeing what had happened, praised God and said, "Surely this was a righteous man." {48} When all the people who had gathered to witness this sight saw what took place, they beat their breasts and went away. {49} But all those who knew him, including the women who had followed him from Galilee, stood at a distance, watching these things.””

(Mark 15:39-41 NIV) ““And when the centurion, who stood there in front of Jesus, heard his cry and saw how he died, he said, "Surely this man was the Son of God!" {40} Some women were watching from a distance. Among them were Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James the younger and of Joses, and Salome. {41} In Galilee these women had followed him and cared for his needs. Many other women who had come up with him to Jerusalem were also there.””

(Romans 10:9-13 NIV) ““… 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. {10} For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. {11} As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." {12} For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, {13} for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.””

(1 Timothy 1:15 NIV) “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.”

Becoming a Christian is fairly simple. Believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and you will be saved. It’s being a disciple that can prove to be difficult. This was the challenge of the Roman Centurion who oversaw Christ’s crucifixion. As he stood near the cross, he heard Christ offering forgiveness and mercy to soldiers and thieves alike -- and as he watched Jesus take His last breath, the Centurion’s heart was changed. He realized what the women standing nearby had known for months: that this man was the righteous Son of God. He believed in his heart, and confessed with his mouth. In so doing, he joined the crucified thief in becoming a man of faith, ready for Paradise. If thieves and men who crucified Christ can be saved, so can you. Believe in your heart, and confess with your mouth. He is Lord! -- Friar Tuck’s Word of the Day