Confessing God’s Name
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32,33
Read Matthew 10:16-33
The fact that you are baptized obligates you to make confession of faith. You really do not have any choice in this matter. The Lord has a right to your life. When anyone refuses to make confession, he is disobedient to God’s demands. However, you are a hypocrite if you do confession of faith merely because it is expected of you. What is making confession? Through confession of faith, you are saying Amen to what the Lord has revealed. Making confession means that you are making confession of the content of faith, namely, the Bible. However, when someone truly learns to say ‘Amen’ to this, then it cannot be otherwise but that their heart echoes that confession. A true confession cannot be made without personal faith.
In our text, mention is made of confessing the Lord. The opposite of this is to deny the Lord. The first example reveals an affirmation, while the second speaks of a denial. Both of these reactions involve a Person, namely, the Lord, so a Christian confession involves the person of Christ. When His name is confessed uprightly, you will be required to suffer adversity. Blessed are ye, when men shall hate you (Luke 6:22). Consequently, you will be misunderstood by friends, receive sarcastic remarks from colleagues, and be viewed with contempt for the choices you make. Yet no one ever regrets choosing the narrow way that leads to life. It will bring struggles into your life, but also unspeakable peace and joy.
Thought: Have you already said Amen to this confession?
Psalter 141:1,2 (based on Psalm 51) Gracious God, my heart renew, Make my spirit right and true; Cast me not away from Thee, Let Thy Spirit dwell in me; Thy salvation’s joy impart, Steadfast make my willing heart. Sinners then shall learn from me And return, O God, to Thee; Saviour, all my guilt remove, And my tongue shall sing Thy love; Touch my silent lips, O Lord, And my mouth shall praise accord.