Gospel Plan of Salvation: Confess

“Because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jesus as Lord, and shalt believe in thy heart that God 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.”

Rom 10:9-10

A Proclamation and a Promise

Who are you willing to confess? Did you know that your salvation depends on it? I trust that many of you who are reading this do know this, and others have heard something along those lines but we must not lose sight of what God has required for salvation. Paul reminded the Christians in Rome that this was something that they had done and brought them unto salvation. This was not some cleverly added thing of Paul's own volition but the Inspired Word of God. This was the same thing that Jesus said prior. “Every one therefore who shall confess me before men, him will I also confess before my Father who is in heaven.” (Matt10:32). As Christians, our proclamation is based on Christ’s promise.

Our Confession is Public

Are you willing to confess Christ? I know it might seem scary to speak out. It might be hard for the introvert. However, the Lord was willing to be stripped and beaten, cursed, and crucified for your soul's sake. Is confession that big of a deal? Yes, it is! When one confesses Jesus is the Son of God, the previous three steps of salvation must accompany that confession, for these are the basis of the confession. Christians have confessed Jesus as the Son of God because we believed what we have heard, and we are willing to change who we are to become who He has called us to be. Our lives will be marked by the belief in Christ we have, the change in our lives will be seen in view. A public confession of Christ is made as a prerequisite to salvation.

Today is the Day of Salvation

If confession is a holdup, I want you to know that it does not have to be on a Sunday morning after I finish preaching in front of all the people assembled. That is just a time that we set apart so that if someone needs to obey the Gospel, we can provide an opportunity to do so. We would gladly take your confession on any day or time. In all actuality, if you are reading this right now and you know that you have not obeyed the Gospel of Christ and you need to put on Christ in baptism, there is no time like the present. Today is the day of salvation. Please remember that confession comes after hearing, believing, and repenting and points toward baptism, which I will cover next week.

Grace and Peace,

R.D. Beavers

Comments

Don't Raise an Ahaz

Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the children of Israel. And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree . 2 Kings 16:2-4 When was the first time you drove a car? What about the first time you jumped off a diving board or gave a speech? After that first time, it certainly became easier. What about the first lie you told? Did it become easier? King Ahaz of Judah was evil and far from the example of David. Ahaz was the first to offer child sacrifices to t...

Abijah and Totality

Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam (also Abijah) over Judah.Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 15:1-3 Do you ever wonder how someone who gets things mostly right can still be so wrong? It is mind-boggling if we do not consider that God judges man in totality. From our text above, it is hard to see anything good that can be said about Abijam (Abijah) son of Rehoboam. After all, it is evident that he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. So where do we learn the details? 2 Chronicles 13:1-22 gives us further evidence of Abijah’s issues. We know he i...

Can a Christian Celebrate a Secular Christmas?

Can a Christian celebrate a secular Christmas? This is a good question and one that deserves an honest answer. This week I read the following, “If you don’t talk about Jesus at Christmas time, you miss Jesus. If you do not sing those scriptural songs focusing on Jesus, you miss Jesus. You might have grown up in a church where “Christmas” was a “Jesus-free” day.” These were some accusations leveled against some brethren by a well-known preacher in our brotherhood. In this article, I wish to set the record straight on how it is rather simple to celebrate a secular Christmas and it not be a “Jesus-free” day. I contend that no day is “Jesus free” for a New Testament Christian. First, this brother accuses the church “of not knowing what to do with Christmas. They celebrate it in their homes, but avoid it at all costs in church.” I contend that the preachers who preach the whole counsel of God know what to do with...

Ironworks

Search This Blog