Which is it? Do I have to confess with my mouth before I believe in my heart or am I able to believe and then say it. Well, that seems to be a bit of a conundrum. Both are important, although their order of importance is not.
“10For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” — Romans 10:10 (ESV)
Notice in the above from Paul to the Romans, he does not indicate which is first, only that each has its own part in the process. There is also that one can believe, yet needs to profess to all allowed so that all will know and celebrate with as well as provide guidance and support for this new believer. I don’t believe there is a first or second, only that both need to happen.
When we say something, there are always going to be those that will not believe and frankly, I do not have to believe something to say it. I can say that gold has no value, when in fact I know that it does. Those are the lies that come from us as man. I am a sinner and lies come easy to me. So saying something does not make it true.
On the other hand, believing and not saying does not do any better. I can believe and even act in the way of the Christian and the follower of Christ. Yet, being that the law of God supersedes the law of man, it may appear that I am in fact not following God as those that are not believers would not understand my actions only see them. Therefore, believing in my heart does not make it complete.
I have to believe and speak to indicated to myself, through the belief in my heart, and to others though my outward profession. I have to be complete. I have to openly let everyone know that I am accepting or have accepted Christ as my savior, and I have to privately believe in my heart so that God can see my true acceptance. These work together and one should be done in concert with the other.
As to which comes first, the heart or the mouth, for some it will be one, and for others it will be the other. Some will believe in their heart and then shout it from the rooftops that they have accepted Christ and believe in Him completely. Others will speak it and then hear it from their own lips and then believe in their hearts. I am not to say one should be first and the other second as each person is their own. What I will say is to echo the words of Paul here in his letter to the Romans:
“8But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); 9because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” — Romans 10:8-9 (ESV)
What are your thoughts on the path, heart or mouth? Are you electing to do one over the other and struggling with the idea that you may have done things backward? What if you just did it your way and don’t worry with the order and only do them both, believe in your heart and confess with your mouth?
Trevor's Thoughts 