Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Romans 10:9 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; |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Romans 10:9 because if you acknowledge and confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord [recognizing His power, authority, and majesty as God], and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. |
Subject: why do we have to call Jesus -Lord Jesus |
Bible Note: Dear Meta, I believe it was you who mentioned Zacchaeus as one who would espouse the superiority of emotion over thought. It seemed a bit out of left field to me, but then I am fine with rabbit trails. I assumed that he somehow did have bearing on the question, since you brought him up. I congratulate you on your experience with varying stripes of Jewish people. As I am a Jewish person -- saved by God's grace alone, through faith alone, by the completed work of Christ alone, and to God's glory alone -- I trust you will grant me the leeway to focus on text of the Bible. You see, our forum is rooted in sola Scriptura. Our doctrine is drawn solely from the text of the Bible. You asked, "Why would he have to know anything" (sic) From Luke 19 we may understand that Zacchaeus knew the following: 1. He knew something about Jesus and His ministry, for it was knowledge that had attracted the man's attention (v3). The chief tax collector's curiosity was so keen that he used extraordinary measures to satisfy it (v4). Zacchaeus foresaw an opportunity, quickly devised a plan, hasted to implement it in accommodation of his physical limitations. When does anyone do that kind of thing in absence of knowledge? 2. Many people approached Jesus directly. What knowledge do you think this fellow had that caused such humility (vv 2 and 7)? Without knowledge of the law, he would have had no sense of guilt (Romans 7:7). That sense of guilt is manifest in the choice of action that follows. 3. When Christ singled out Zacchaeus -- note that Christ approached him, not vice versa -- he experienced great joy (Luke 19:6). How would that have been possible if he hadn't known that Jesus had called him? Even the crowd knew the implications of what was going on (v7). 4. The work of conversion in Zacchaeus is worked out clearly and visibly (v8). Zacchaeus calls Jesus "Lord" -- a title that Luke uses repeatedly to affirm the authority and power of the Son. Zacchaeus expresses his godly zeal by his generous offering to the poor. Furthermore, he demonstrates his repentance by his pledge to restore what he had stolen. 5. Zacchaeus demonstrates an understanding of the particulars of the Law in offering to restore fourfold (Exodus 22:1; Leviticus 6:5). 6. Jesus confirms that the blessings of salvation has been gifted to Zacchaeus. In order to please God, the author of Hebrews tells us that a person must KNOW that God is and that He is a rewarder of them that seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Paul tells us, "How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard?" (Romans 10:14a ESV) The gospel is rooted in truth that is heard and understood (Colossians 1:5). Christ says, "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free" (John 8:32). Note that the Bible never says, "You will feel passion and your passion will set you free." So, I say again, Zacchaeus doesn't help you in your opinion of human intellect. The Scriptures bear out the fact that emotion follows knowledge. Of course, it will take application of thought and of study -- intellect things -- for it to become clear. In Him, Doc PS You've been a member of the forum for a year now. Why don't you update your profile and tell us about yourself and the church you attend? |