“For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” – Romans 10:10

“For one believes with the heart and so is justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” Well, that sure puts things into perspective as far as my faith is concerned. There is an emphasis on proclamation in this passage that is somewhat foreign to my spiritual leaning. I won’t, however, say that it is foreign to my experience. For many years Carol and I lived and traveled in the Islamic world, where the word is always “on your lips and in your heart.” Five times a day, to be exact. I suppose Paul’s linkage of confession with your lips as well as belief in your heart may have come from an Abrahamic tradition of chant and praise — the tradition of the Psalms. Because while I’m not personally inclined to bust out in worship at the drop of a hymnal, going to church and vocally praising the Lord with my fellow worshippers is good for my soul.

Lord, it is well with my soul to know that the word is always near me and that the word is you. Help me overcome my self-consciousness in connecting my heart to my lips in seeking the salvation you offer. Amen.
-Michael Boss