The IMPORTANCE of CALLING UPON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, looking at Ephesians 1:12-14, and Romans 10:8-14 how it pertains to the Gospel which is 1Corinthians 15:1-4
The
IMPORTANCE of CALLING on The Lord, we are TALKING ABOUT Ephesians 1:12-14, and
Romans 10:8-14
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Authorized (King James) Version
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which
I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 by
which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless
ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I
also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4
and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures:”
Ephesians 1:12-14
Authorized (King James) Version
“12 that we should be to the praise of his glory, who
first trusted in Christ. 13 in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 which is the
earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory.”
Romans 10:8-14
Authorized (King James) Version
“8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy
mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 that if
thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with
the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him
shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the
Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher?”
Both of these sets of scriptures (Ephesians 1:12-14 and
Romans 10:8-14) them are NEEDED and are CONNECTED and are also in Paul’s
epistles. Paul’s Epistles are all in order and go from Romans to Philemon.
Romans 10:8
“8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy
heart: that is, the word of
faith, which we preach;”
Ephesians 1:13
“13 in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
The heart and mouth are connected.
Luke 6:45
Authorized (King James) Version
“45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of
his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart
his mouth speaketh.”
Now if you have bitterness in your inner man, it will
come out.
Job 10:1
Authorized (King James) Version
“My soul is weary of my life;
I will leave my complaint upon myself;
I will speak in the bitterness of my soul.”
Job 7:11
Authorized (King James) Version
“11 Therefore I will not refrain my mouth;
I will speak in the anguish of my spirit;
I will complain in the bitterness of my soul.”
A lot of people display what is talked about in the
following verse:
Romans 3:14
Authorized (King James) Version
“14 whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness:”
Ephesians 4:31
Authorized (King James) Version
“31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and
clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:”
Hebrews 12:15
Authorized (King James) Version
“15 looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of
God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be
defiled;”
The heart and mouth are connected.
Luke 6:45
Authorized (King James) Version
“45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of
his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart
his mouth speaketh.”
Romans 10:8
“8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy
heart: that is, the word of
faith, which we preach;”
Ephesians 1:13
“13 in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,”
At first glance it may APPEAR that they contradict in
terms of Ephesians 1:12-14 being more so the appearance of faith alone in the
Gospel and that to the unlearned and unstable Romans 10:8-13 looks like you
have to “add calling” to this; but if you understand the verses you’ll see that
calling on The Lord is NOT a work. It is us making a RESPONSE based on our
FAITH in the Gospel same as belief. You’d be crazy to think that faith is a
work. Our prayer ability isn’t what saves us; it is God who saves us through
faith in the Gospel.
Now for the sake of argument, if you didn’t believe the
gospel but you prayed in vain to The Lord you could still in a horrible example
of technicality call upon the name of The Lord and not be saved; I believe that
God examines the heart for sincerity and whether the person has FAITH in the
Gospel and if you look at Romans 10:8-14 you will see that you need to have
faith in Jesus’ resurrection.
Romans 10:9
Authorized (King James) Version
“9 that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the
dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Isaiah 29:13
Authorized (King James) Version
“13 Wherefore the Lord said,
Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth,
and with their lips do honour me,
but have removed their heart far from me,
and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of
men:”
There
are many instances of people calling upon The Lord. The context from the
scriptures given will show the reason, but calling on The Lord is important.
Genesis 4:26
Authorized (King James) Version
26 And to Seth, to him also
there was born a son; and he called his name Enos: then began men to call upon
the name of the Lord.
Genesis 12:8
Authorized (King James) Version
8 And he removed from
thence unto a mountain on the east of Beth-el, and pitched his tent, having Beth-el
on the west, and Hai on the east: and there he builded an altar unto the Lord, and called upon the
name of the Lord.
Genesis 26:25
Authorized (King James) Version
25 And he builded an altar there, and called upon the
name of the LORD, and pitched his tent there: and there Isaac’s servants digged
a well.
Psalm 14:4
Authorized (King James) Version
4 Have all the workers of
iniquity no knowledge?
who
eat up my people as they eat bread, and call not upon
the Lord.
Psalm 18:3
Authorized (King James) Version
3 I will call upon
the Lord, who is worthy to
be praised:
so
shall I be saved from mine enemies.
Psalm 18:6
Authorized (King James) Version
6 In my distress I called
upon the Lord, and
cried unto my God:
he
heard my voice out of his temple,
and
my cry came before him, even into his ears.
1 John 5:14-15
Authorized (King James) Version
14 And this is the
confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his
will, he heareth us: 15 and if we know that he hear
us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of
him.
Psalm 31:17
Authorized (King James) Version
17 Let me not be ashamed,
O Lord; for I have called upon
thee:
let
the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
Psalm 55:16
Authorized (King James) Version
16 As for me, I will call
upon God; and the Lord shall
save me.
Psalm 86:5
Authorized (King James) Version
5 For thou, Lord, art good,
and ready to forgive;
and
plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
Psalm 88:9
Authorized (King James) Version
9 Mine eye mourneth by
reason of affliction:
Lord, I have called daily
upon thee,
I
have stretched out my hands unto thee.
Psalm 99:6
Authorized (King James) Version
6 Moses and Aaron among his
priests,
and
Samuel among them that call upon his name;
they
called upon the Lord, and he
answered them.
Psalm 105:1
Authorized (King James) Version
1 O give thanks unto
the Lord; call upon his name:
make
known his deeds among the people.
Psalm 116:4
Authorized (King James) Version
4 Then called I upon the
name of the Lord;
O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver
my soul.
Psalm 116:13
Authorized (King James) Version
13 I will take the cup of
salvation,
and
call upon the name of the Lord.
Psalm 116:17
Authorized (King James) Version
17 I will offer to thee the
sacrifice of thanksgiving,
and
will call upon the name of the Lord.
Psalm 118:5
Authorized (King James) Version
5 I called upon the Lord in distress:
the Lord answered me, and
set me in a large place.
Psalm 145:18
Authorized (King James) Version
18 The Lord is nigh
unto all them that call upon him,
to
all that call upon him in truth.
Isaiah 12:4
Authorized (King James) Version
4 And in that day shall ye
say,
Praise
the Lord, call upon his name,
declare
his doings among the people,
make
mention that his name is exalted.
Isaiah 55:6
Authorized (King James) Version
6 Seek ye the Lord while he may be
found,
call
ye upon him while he is near:
Acts 7:59
Authorized (King James) Version
59 And they stoned Stephen,
calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
Romans 10:8-14
Authorized (King James) Version
8 But what saith it? The
word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that
is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 that if
thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For
with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession
is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith,
Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For
there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over
all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How
then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher?
It’s a commandment for our dispensation. But we need to
keep in mind that our prayer ability and our wisdom of words or moreso our lack
thereof isn’t what saves us, and people make things complicated and forget
about the simplicity that is in Christ.
2 Corinthians 11:3
Authorized (King James) Version
“3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled
Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity
that is in Christ.”
2 Peter 3:15-16
Authorized (King James) Version
“15 And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is
salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given
unto him hath written unto you; 16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in
them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they
that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures,
unto their own destruction.”
Another thing people who wrongly divide do is disregard the
very repentance which leads an individual to salvation which can be seen in
2Corinthians 7:9-10. The verses can be seen in terms of the initial repentance
for salvation, as well as the ongoing repentance in a Christian’s life. Repentance
can mean grieved, or it can mean change of mind/turn of direction; it depends
on the context behind the verse. God repented and He NEVER can sin, God was
grieved in a particular instance(s) where God displays repenting.
2 Corinthians 7:9-10
Authorized (King James) Version
9 Now I rejoice, not that
ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry
after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing. 10 For
godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the
sorrow of the world worketh death.
God is looking for a contrite spirit:
The Lord is nigh
unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.
The sacrifices of God are a
broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O
God, thou wilt not despise.
For thus saith the high and
lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I
dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of
a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of
the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
For all those things hath
mine hand made, and all those things have been, saith
the Lord:
but to this man will I look, even to him
that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and
trembleth at my word.
Evidence of salvation is being
a new born again creature in Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Authorized (King James) Version
17 Therefore if any
man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old
things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
2 Corinthians 7:11
Authorized (King James) Version
11 For behold this selfsame
thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you,
yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation,
yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire,
yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In
all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this
matter.
John 3:3-7
Authorized (King James) Version
3 Jesus answered and said
unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he
cannot see the kingdom of God. 4 Nicodemus saith
unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time
into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5 Jesus
answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh;
and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Marvel
not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
1 Peter 1:23
Authorized (King James) Version
23 being born again, not of
corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and
abideth for ever.
Philippians 2:12
Authorized (King James) Version
“12 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not
as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation
with fear and trembling.”
We are saved eternally, but our bodies are still here. We
also need to exercise spiritually. Work out your own salvation (salvation is
personal, I can’t sanctify you and you can’t sanctify me) with fear and
trembling. God can still chastise you on earth and make life very difficult if
you’re a disobedient child of God. Ephesians 1:12-14, Ephesians 4:30, John
10:28-30, 1John 2:25, Romans 5:21, John 6:54, and many, and I mean many verses
talk about the eternal security and eternal life for a believer in this
dispensation of the grace of God.
Paul wouldn’t steer us wrong. We are correct to believe
Romans 10:8-14 is for us but the theme of Romans chapters 9-11 is Jewish but
its written for the body of Christ (which is a new creation not Jew or Gentile
but as one). That said if it’s in Paul’s epistles it is for us. A very
incorrect argument but I will state it regardless to show it: “is belief a work”?
NO. If belief is a work then we are all on our way to hell. Belief is again, a
RESPONSE to the work that The Lord Jesus Christ did for us on the cross with
His shed blood and His death, burial, and resurrection on the third day
according to the scriptures.
1Corinthians 15:1-4 is the Gospel. The only Gospel for
this dispensation to be saved by. Paul, the very same man who had Romans 10
written is the same man who warned in Galatians 1:6-9 regarding people that
preach another gospel.
Galatians 1:6-9
Authorized (King James) Version
“6 I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that
called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: 7 which is not
another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of
Christ. 8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto
you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9 As we
said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you
than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Paul’s Gospel is referred to as “my Gospel” by Paul the
Apostle in 2Timothy 2:8, Romans 2:16 and Romans 16:25. The Gospel is an outline
of what Jesus did for us, on the cross, with His death on the cross for our
sins, His burial, and His resurrection on the third day, according to the
scriptures. For a more expansive account of these events I would recommend
reading Matthew chapters 26, chapter 27, and chapter 28; Mark chapters 14,
chapter 15, and chapter 16, Luke chapters 22, chapter 23, and chapter 24; as
well as John chapters 18, chapter 19, chapter 20, and chapter 21.
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
Authorized (King James) Version
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which
I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 by
which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless
ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I
also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4
and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the
scriptures:”
Ephesians 1:12-14
Authorized (King James) Version
“12 that we should be to the praise of his glory, who
first trusted in Christ. 13 in whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye
believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, 14 which is the
earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession,
unto the praise of his glory.”
Romans 10:8-14
Authorized (King James) Version
“8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy
mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 that if
thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with
the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is
made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him
shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the
Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then
shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they
believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a
preacher?”
The word such as the scriptures or more specifically the
word of faith which is the Gospel is near you, so close that its even IN you,
its in your mouth and heart, these are connected.
Luke 6:45
Authorized (King James) Version
“45 A good man out of the good treasure of his heart
bringeth forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of
his heart bringeth forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart
his mouth speaketh.”
Now Paul is talking about in verse 9 how “(9) that if
thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine
heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” This is BECAUSE
Verse 10 continues the thought of “(10) For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” This is
showing the heart and mouth are connected, a person that believes the Gospel in
His heart will confess that fact, whether they’re alone or to someone else, or
to God. God could also likely set up a situation where you will have to make a
decision to confess with thy mouth your faith in Him or the Gospel, or at least
His word and that they will confess at least something if they’re not ashamed
and truly in the faith. “(11) For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on
him shall not be ashamed”. Now we will see that its an open invitation for
ANYONE to get saved. “(12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the
Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For
whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” The words are
clear and when in context we get the full meaning and we can be assured that if
we believe the Gospel and call upon The Lord Jesus Christ we SHALL be saved and
that it is by God’s grace through our faith.
Ephesians 2:8-10
Authorized (King James) Version
“8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not
of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 not of works, lest any man should
boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Faith in The Lord Jesus Christ and faith in what He did
for us is important because (lets see Romans 10:14) “(14) How then shall they
call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him
of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”. If
someone doesn’t have enough faith they wont even consider talking to The Lord;
if this is a matter of importance to the individual and that they were truly
scared their sins were leading them to hell or that they were sorry for what
they’ve done it should or could be a natural response such as “Hi God, I know
that you are The Lord Jesus, I believe the Gospel, I’m a sinner, please forgive
me, please save me.”
The importance is the state of the heart, you can call on
The Lord and not get saved. It depends on FAITH. Its not your calling that
saves you. It’s The Lord saving you by HIS GRACE THROUGH YOUR FAITH! Look at
verse 10 from Romans 10: “(10) For with the heart man believeth unto
righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” These two
go together the same way the heart and the mouth is connected.
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