5 Moses writes about the righteousness that comes from the Law: The person who does these things will live by them. 6 But the righteousness that comes from faith talks like this: Don’t say in your heart, “Who will go up into heaven?” (that is, to bring Christ down) 7 or “Who will go down into the region below?” (that is, to bring Christ up from the dead). 8 But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart (that is, the message of faith that we preach). 9 Because if you confess with your mouth “Jesus is Lord” and in your heart you have faith that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 Trusting with the heart leads to righteousness, and confessing with the mouth leads to salvation. 11 The scripture says, All who have faith in him won’t be put to shame. 12 There is no distinction between Jew and Greek, because the same Lord is Lord of all, who gives richly to all who call on him. 13 All who call on the Lord’s name will be saved. (Romans 10:5-13, CEB)
Growing up in the church, listening to the stories, and attending every church service I could. When I opened my bible today, I flipped to Romans 10:5-13. In a previous time I had highlighted only certain parts of this passage. The one thing that stuck out to me today is verse 11. “As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” I kept repeating it in my head, until it made sense. In a previous time, that verse was skipped over and verse 13 was highlighted “for, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Growing up I did not take the time to realize in verses 11 & 13 that was for me. I had been put to shame for different reasons throughout my life that involved members of the church. In verse 13 for Everyone, meant me as well. This also means you. For Everyone. No matter their sexual orientation, gender identity, race, color, nationality, disability, or religion.