You have declared this day that the LORD is your God and that you will walk in obedience to him, that you will keep his decrees, commands and laws—that you will listen to him. And the LORD has declared this day that you are his people, his treasured possession as he promised, and that you are to keep all his commands.
Deuteronomy 26:17-18 NIV
In Romans 10:9, Paul said that if we declare with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised him from the dead, we will be saved. But what does it mean to declare that Jesus is Lord? Is it just an expression that we are expected to say? Like saying the “sinners prayer”? Or is there more to it than just saying three words?
This passage in Deuteronomy answers that question. To declare that Jesus is Lord is a declaration that he is your God. That you will obey him and will keep his commands. And that you will listen to him. Not just hearing his words but taking them to heart and responding to them.
And, simultaneously with your declaration is God’s declaration that you are his treasured possession. When we give ourselves to him as Lord, he takes us to be his people. We experience the salvation that Paul referred to in Romans 10:9.
Salvation is more than a fire insurance policy. Sign on the dotted line, make periodic payments, and all will be good in the end. It involves surrender to the Lordship of Jesus. To turn over control of your life to him. And becoming what he wants you to be. If you have not done that yet, I urge you to make Jesus the Lord of your life and become a child of God.
