“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
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