Luke 12:8-9
8 And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
These were some verses of interest to my family as we worked our way through our Bible Reading (current reading).
What we commented on is the active force given to the idea of the confession of Christ. To make a public declaration of the person and work of Christ does not happen passively but is intentional. The one who actively and intentionally makes Christ known, who is unashamed of Christ and His gospel (Romans 1:16), who let’s his light shine before men in order that they might glorify God (Matthew 5:16); this is the one who Christ is unashamed to call him a brother (Hebrews 2:11) and lovingly confesses before God.
Conversely, the one who denies Christ, who, due to fear, shame, love of the world, neglect or even self-inflicted ignorance, this one Christ will deny, that is, He will be ashamed of him, not counting him a brother and leaving this one to his own horrible state of sin, condemnation and death.
As noted above, it takes much effort to confess Christ. It means to have the very essence of Christ upon our hearts and on our lips. It means seeing one’s self truly as an ambassador for Christ wherever he finds himself. It means having the mind of Christ, seeking always to glorify the Father. It means not allowing circumstances to dictate obedience but to seek active engagement in being a witness for Christ. It means going to work, going to school, going to the store, going to activities and even going to church with the primary intention of pointing people to the person of Christ, evangelizing the lost while edifying the saints. It means striving to enter through the narrow gate.
While denial can certainly be active as well, there is also an aspect of denial that takes little effort. One needs do none of the above efforts of confession and the result is a denial of Christ. To deny Christ takes nothing more than passive indifference to the purpose and call of God for those who would be witnesses. It takes nothing more than a self-absorbed, self-focused heart that repeatedly fails to see the commands to “make disciples” in one’s goings and to be His “witnesses” as applying to him. It is a failure to apply the Scriptures:
We have a great task, and a great privilege – to confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9a). Let us guard our hearts against the sometimes subtle attitudes and actions of denial. Let us pursue our confession of Christ with boldness, actively seeking to make Christ known – for He is worthy; it is our calling; and there is a lost world that needs to hear of the glories of Christ, either unto their salvation or unto their condemnation, but all to the glory of God.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Ed
8 And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; 9 but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.
These were some verses of interest to my family as we worked our way through our Bible Reading (current reading).
What we commented on is the active force given to the idea of the confession of Christ. To make a public declaration of the person and work of Christ does not happen passively but is intentional. The one who actively and intentionally makes Christ known, who is unashamed of Christ and His gospel (Romans 1:16), who let’s his light shine before men in order that they might glorify God (Matthew 5:16); this is the one who Christ is unashamed to call him a brother (Hebrews 2:11) and lovingly confesses before God.
Conversely, the one who denies Christ, who, due to fear, shame, love of the world, neglect or even self-inflicted ignorance, this one Christ will deny, that is, He will be ashamed of him, not counting him a brother and leaving this one to his own horrible state of sin, condemnation and death.
As noted above, it takes much effort to confess Christ. It means to have the very essence of Christ upon our hearts and on our lips. It means seeing one’s self truly as an ambassador for Christ wherever he finds himself. It means having the mind of Christ, seeking always to glorify the Father. It means not allowing circumstances to dictate obedience but to seek active engagement in being a witness for Christ. It means going to work, going to school, going to the store, going to activities and even going to church with the primary intention of pointing people to the person of Christ, evangelizing the lost while edifying the saints. It means striving to enter through the narrow gate.
While denial can certainly be active as well, there is also an aspect of denial that takes little effort. One needs do none of the above efforts of confession and the result is a denial of Christ. To deny Christ takes nothing more than passive indifference to the purpose and call of God for those who would be witnesses. It takes nothing more than a self-absorbed, self-focused heart that repeatedly fails to see the commands to “make disciples” in one’s goings and to be His “witnesses” as applying to him. It is a failure to apply the Scriptures:
1 Corinthians 10:31
Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
Colossians 3:17
Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
Colossians 3:23
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men...
Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men...
We have a great task, and a great privilege – to confess with our mouth Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9a). Let us guard our hearts against the sometimes subtle attitudes and actions of denial. Let us pursue our confession of Christ with boldness, actively seeking to make Christ known – for He is worthy; it is our calling; and there is a lost world that needs to hear of the glories of Christ, either unto their salvation or unto their condemnation, but all to the glory of God.
Soli Deo Gloria,
Pastor Ed
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