What does it actually mean to believe in Jesus?

In Romans 10, Pastor Steve Whinery looks at the simplicity of the gospel: confess Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Salvation is not something we earn through religion, good works, or trying to impress God. God has already done the work through Christ.

But biblical faith is more than knowing facts about Jesus. It means trusting the real Jesus revealed in Scripture, recognizing Him as Lord, believing in His resurrection, and personally responding to what God has done.

God has made the way of salvation clear. The question is whether we will believe Him and trust Christ.

How can a person be made right with God?

Continuing through Romans 10, Pastor Steve Whinery explains why keeping commandments can never produce the righteousness God requires. The law exposes our need for a Savior, and every sacrifice pointed forward to Jesus—the One who fulfilled what we could never accomplish ourselves.

Paul then brings the gospel down to its beautiful simplicity: believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead and confess Him as Lord. Salvation is not something we earn or something we add to Christ’s work. Jesus has already done what was necessary.

The question is not whether we can make ourselves righteous. The question is whether we will trust the real Jesus and confess Him as Lord.

Is it possible to be sincere about God and still miss what He wants?

In Romans 10, Pastor Steve Whinery examines Israel’s zeal for God and the mistake of trying to establish righteousness through religious effort. Knowing Scripture, attending church, or comparing ourselves to people who seem worse than us cannot make us right with God.

The difference is not simply between religious and irreligious people. It is the difference between knowing about God and actually knowing Him. True righteousness does not come from our performance—it comes through faith in Christ.

Religion asks, “Am I good enough?” The gospel points us to Jesus.