Everyone.
That’s one of those words we can read right past without stopping to think about what it really means.
But in Romans 10, Paul gives us a promise that deserves the pause:
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Not everyone who has lived a respectable life.
Not everyone who managed to clean up their past first.
Not everyone except the person who thinks they’ve wandered too far.
Everyone.
There was a time when I wasn’t sure that word could possibly include me.
Now I know better.
Today’s Saving Grace of God
Romans 10:11–13 (ESV)
“For the Scripture says, ‘Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.’
For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.
For ‘everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’”
Setting the Scene
Romans 10 is part of Paul’s larger explanation of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
Just before today’s passage, Paul writes words that make the connection between belief, confession, and salvation unmistakable:
“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Then Paul makes it clear that this promise isn’t reserved for one particular group of people. There is no distinction between Jew and Greek when it comes to our need for salvation or the Lord who saves.
The same Lord is Lord of all.
When Paul writes, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” he is quoting the prophet Joel. This promise had been written centuries earlier: those who call upon the Lord will be saved.
Now Paul places those words within his proclamation of the gospel and points us directly to Jesus.
Calling upon Him isn’t merely saying the right combination of words. Paul has already told us what is happening in the heart.
We believe.
We confess Jesus as Lord.
And we call upon the One we trust to save us.
Reflection
I can remember when my life was a mess.
I couldn’t seem to get my act together, and it felt like every decision I made pushed me further from God instead of drawing me toward Him.
Somewhere inside, I knew I needed Him.
And I felt this persistent pull toward Him that I couldn’t seem to escape.
But there was a problem.
I couldn’t believe God would actually want me.
Not after everything.
Not considering the chaos of my life or the massive pile of mistakes making up my past.
Maybe God saved people.
I just wasn’t convinced He saved people like me.
It took me a long time to understand that the persistent pull I had been feeling was God calling me toward Himself.
He pursued me.
Me.
The broken girl with really poor decision-making skills.
And eventually I had to face something Romans 10 says without hesitation:
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Apparently, when God says everyone, He means EVERYONE!!
That changes things.
Because there may be someone reading this who believes they’ve already disqualified themselves.
Maybe you know Jesus saves sinners. You just have a hard time believing His grace could reach your particular collection of sins.
I understand that thinking more than I’d like to admit.
But Paul doesn’t give us an exception list.
There isn’t a footnote saying everyone except…
Your past isn’t bigger than the cross.
Your worst decision didn’t catch God by surprise.
And you don’t have to repair yourself enough to become someone Jesus would be willing to save.
You call upon Him because He is the Savior.
That’s the beautiful simplicity of the gospel.
We don’t save ourselves and then come to Jesus.
We come to Jesus because we need saving.
And the same Lord who saved Paul, who saved believers in Rome, and who eventually reached one extremely stubborn girl who thought she’d made far too many mistakes…
is still Lord of all.
Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, thank You that when Your Word says everyone, I don’t have to wonder whether somehow I’m the exception. Thank You for pursuing me when I was running in every direction except toward You. You knew every mistake I had made, every wrong turn I had taken, and every one I would still make—and You called me anyway.
For the person who believes they have gone too far or done too much to be welcomed by You, please help them see the truth of Your grace. Give them the courage to believe, to call upon Your name, and to discover that Your mercy reaches them too. And never let me forget where You found me or how patiently You brought me home. In Jesus’ precious name, I pray. Amen.
Reflection Question
Have you ever believed that God’s promise of salvation was for everyone except you? What would it mean to take Him at His word when He says “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”?
Closing Encouragement
Maybe you’ve spent years believing you need to become someone better before you can call upon Jesus.
You don’t.
You call because you need Him.
And Romans 10 doesn’t leave us wondering whether God’s grace is reserved for people with cleaner histories or better résumés.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Everyone includes the broken.
Everyone includes the ashamed.
Everyone includes the person who wandered for years.
Everyone included me.
And friend,
everyone includes you.
Helpful Daily Resources
- Read the full chapter on Bible.com ~ Romans 10
- Enjoy Bible.com ~ Verse of the Day
- Try Bible.com ~ Bible Recap: Read the Bible in a Year Plan