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.
