What does the Bible mean that with the heart man believes unto righteousness?
Believing with the heart means trusting the gospel from one's innermost being, not merely holding head knowledge. It is an imputed righteousness: as soon as a person believes the gospel, God imputes His righteousness and clothes that believer with the righteousness of Christ.
Les explains that this verse calls for self-examination: a person must ask whether he is only believing a head knowledge or believing with all his innermost being that Christ died for the world, for him. With the heart, man believes unto righteousness, and that righteousness is imputed. As soon as we believe the Gospel, God imputes His righteousness. Les ties this to Genesis, where God clothed Adam and Eve with coats of skins; the final statement that He clothed them points to righteousness, not merely covering nakedness. He also connects Isaiah 61, which speaks of garments of righteousness, and Romans 3, where Paul says the same happens unto all who believe. Thus God can actually clothe the believer with the righteousness of Christ. Les also notes that when we believe what God has said, God becomes duty bound to fulfill His Word.
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
More Questions
What is the difference between head knowledge and heart belief in salvation?
Saving faith is not just head knowledge about Christ; it is believing with your innermost being that Christ died for the world and for you personally.
What does Romans 10 mean by believing with the heart rather than the head?
In Romans 10, the belief that leads to righteousness is with the heart, not with the head or mind.