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Confessing Jesus - Luke 12
Confessing Jesus - Luke 12
Jesus has just warned people about those who could kill the body but could do 'no more than that' (vs. 4). He then encourages the disciples saying "everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God" (vs. 8-9).
The danger is that making such an open confession did bring open persecution. The Jewish leaders HAD let it be known that anyone who would make such a confession would be put out of the synagogue! (John 9:22). As a result of such a threat, the parents of the blind man believed in Jesus but would NOT make this confession! (John 9:23).
Such confession of faith is said by Paul to be "unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9-10). Such confession is not a 'once and done' recitation of a 'creedal statement', but rather is an ongoing confession that is shown in one's living obedience to Jesus.
““Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46, ESV)
““Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’ “Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.” (Matthew 7:21–24, ESV)
Jesus calls upon us to live consistent with our faith. Such may bring persecution and hard times. Such may even bring martyrdom and death! Such WILL bring salvation. Jesus WILL confess us before the Father. However, IF we deny him, He will then deny us. This is a core aspect of our discipleship to Jesus.
It appears that we may be entering into our own dangerous time period. It will be a temptation to cave in and be 'politically correct'. It may be a time that causes believers to deny their faith and to deny their Lord. Each will be tested for himself. Let us not fear but courageously confess before men that Jesus is Lord and we are His disciples.
Hugh DeLong
