In the midst of confusing and conflicting confessions, where fancies and feelings are given expression to many and varied convictions, where men are confessing themselves instead of Christ, it is refreshing to tum again to the Bible and see what God has to say on the subject.
The apostle Paul stresses confession in this way: “And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father” (Philippians 2:11). Indeed, it is heartening to see that in New Testament days, a simple and straightforward declaration of faith in the divine Sonship of Jesus was a “good” confession. ” And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (Acts 8:37).
There are three factors involved in the confession of Christ which must be considered by any who would make that confession. First of all, it cost something. There is a saying that “the best things in life are free,” but most folk realize that there is little appreciation for that which does not cost something. The victory easily achieved is not counted nearly so important as the one which required sacrifice and supreme effort.
Confession of Christ has always cost something. ” These words spake his parents, because they feared the Jews: for the Jews had agreed already, that if any man did confess that he was Christ, he should be put out of the synagogue (John 9:22). The cost today may be the loss of friends, alienation from family, loss of job, and rejection from social standing, but IT IS WORTH IT! ”That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10).
What is the significance of confession anyway? Perhaps people would be a little more careful of what they confess and whether they live up to it if enough serious thought was given to all the things involved in confessing Jesus as the Christ, the Son of God. Matthew 16:16 demonstrates how tribute is made to the sovereignty of God: “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Confession also points out the all-sufficient and infallible testimony of truth. “But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (John 20:31). For one to claim that saving faith must come by direct and miraculous impact on the heart of man by the Holy Spirit is to· make a farce of truth. Confession of Christ will come from a faith produced by the revealed testimony. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17).
-Oran Rhodes (deceased)
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