"Dost thou believe on the Son of God?" How direct, how pointed, how personal is the Lord's appeal to the heart in these words! Not, do we, or they, but "dolt thou?" The answer too must be direct and personal. A Yes, or a No. Hesitation, indecision, silence, means no, so far, at least, as man is concerned. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." Rom. 10:1010For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10). The righteousness which is by faith of Jesus Christ is for God; the confession of the mouth is for man.
Christ is preached for the simplest to believe on Him with the heart, and to confess Him with the mouth. "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."
In Romans 10:9, 109That 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. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9‑10) confession is put first. This is not because it is the more important, for, without the heart, mere words of confession would be good for nothing; but because it leads both angels and men to celebrate the praise of Jesus. How often the evangelist turns away with a heavy heart from closed lips—from sullen silence! These too often bespeak an inward fighting against the truth. But how bright His praise, when with a beaming countenance Jesus is confessed as Savior and Lord!
Again, dear reader, we would press as a parting word this deeply solemn question, "Do you, for yourself, of yourself, believe on the Son of God?" Your eternal interest—the joys of heaven, or the miseries of hell, hang on your yes or no. You must answer for yourself, and answer to the Savior. Ah, what wondrous love is in this appeal! The blessed Savior, as it were, looks straight in your face, stands before you, reveals Himself to you, and says, "Do you believe on Me?" Will you believe in your heart on Me? Will you speak well of Me before men? Will you take up your cross and follow Me?"
The Lord in mercy grant that this may be your happy place, your blessed portion, your eternal joy. How simple it all is! Only believe and praise the Lord; and still praise Him. But you know the dire consequences of unbelief—no Savior, no salvation, no heaven, no happiness; but banishment from the presence of God and the Lamb, from the holy and the good, and doomed to dwell in the depths of despair, within the barred gates of hell forever and forever. May the Holy Spirit now lead you from the heart to say, "Lord, I believe"; and to worship Jesus as Savior and Lord (John 9:3838And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him. (John 9:38)).