“The word is near you, in your mouth
and in your heart, that is,
the word of faith which we preach,
that if you confess with your mouth
‘the‘ Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart
that God has raised him from the dead,
you will be saved.”
Romans 10:8-9

It’s important to have an accurate translation of the Bible. This passage, for example, has one implied word that without it – the meaning is literally changed.

“…if you confess with your mouth “the”Lord Jesus…”

In the Greek interlinear, the word “the” is not there.

Why does it matter? It matters because it’s vital to salvation. Many would confess that Jesus is the Lord, even the demons do that. But when you remove the implied “the,” it becomes this:

“…if you confess with your mouth ‘Lord Jesus…’”

It goes beyond confessing THAT Jesus is Lord. When you confess “Lord Jesus,” you’re confessing him as your LORD.

Believing that there is one God does not bring salvation:

“You believe that there is one God?
You do well – even the demons believe and tremble!”
James 2:19

It is not enough to believe THAT there is one God or THAT Jesus is Lord. Salvation does not happen when one believes “that…”

Salvation depends on making it personal.

Believing that there is one God changes nothing in your heart. Believing that God raised Jesus from the dead changes nothing in your heart – even the demons believe that. No, salvation comes when a person surrenders his/her life to the LORDSHIP of Jesus Christ. Jesus is no longer the Lord generally, he becomes your Lord personally.

You must confess with your mouth “Lord Jesus.”

Only when he becomes your Lord, does he become your Savior.