The Roman empire had brought prosperity to the world. A strong military kept their enemies at bay. Lots of folks did not want to say anything against it. They went along to get along, even if they would need to say, “Caesar is Lord”. They could continue to buy and sell in the markets bringing prosperity, after all, they had to feed their families. There was a heavy price to saying, “Caesar is not Lord; Jesus is Lord.” They did not try to rationalize the statement, “Jesus is Lord” as their private spirituality in a compartment, while going along with an evil system. They lived and confessed, “Jesus is Lord” to persecution and sometimes death. It was the cost of living, believing and confessing it.
“If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved…For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all and is generous to all who call on him.” Romans 10:9, 12 (NRSV)
