Shane and Shane – “Fullness of Joy”
“But what does it say? “THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART”—that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth, he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
Romans 10: 8-10
Let’s imagine you were searching for a way to pay off your debts and also the debts of those you love. And one day you discovered in your own back yard a gold mine. Would not the prospect of how this discovery would enrich your life bring you much relief and joy? You could hardly contain your excitement and wouldn’t you be overcome to share the awesome news? Matthew 13:45-46
This is exactly what occurred with two of Jesus’ disciples on the day of His resurrection. They were leaving Jerusalem walking to a village named Emmaus discussing the crucifixion and how it was said by some women Jesus was no longer dead. But either they did not recall His promise to be raised from the dead, or they doubted His Word. Suddenly, Jesus appeared unrecognized and walked with them, asking them the reason for their sadness and the event of their discussion. When they expressed their disappointment concerning His death He began to admonish them for not believing what the prophets had said in the scriptures concerning why He had to suffer and die and then be raised alive after three days. Along the way, He expounded the scriptures and pointed to the prophets who foretold His coming. When they finally arrived at their destination they were no longer in doubt but “believed”. (Luke 24)
While they shared a meal, Jesus broke the bread and suddenly they recognized Him before He disappeared. And so it was just as Jesus broke the bread and blessed it, He also broke open the Word to their understanding of what was said about Him throughout the scriptures. Their excitement and joy was so great they returned to tell the other disciples what they had heard and seen.
So it is when someone comes to the place of recognizing God’s Word as the Truth concerning the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and the forgiveness of their sins, they also realize the debt of their sin has been paid and they can’t wait to share with someone the good news.
It is not a legalistic work concerning confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior but rather the natural response from someone who has first believed it with their mind and heart. It is the evidence of someone “born again” into the Kingdom of God where there is inexpressible joy! For out of the mouth of babes there is much praise.
(Luke 19: 37-40, Matthew 21:16)
Do you believe Jesus Christ is Lord with the assurance of the forgiveness of your sin which guarantees you eternal life? Or do you doubt this Truth? If you believe, there will be a time you will also confess it, for you won’t be able to contain the good news.
Right on Mary!!