J. W. McGarvey said, “Among all the conditions of pardon and eternal life, [repentance] is the most difficult to bring about” (Chapel Talks 71). Amending that thought, I offer that confession is the most difficult to sustain. In that vein of thought, Horace Mann suggested, “It is more difficult, and it calls for higher energies of soul, to live a martyr than to die one.” Before one becomes a Christian, he must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (Romans 10:10). To fail to confess Jesus as Christ is to deny Him (John 12:42-43). One cannot become a Christian in a state of denying that Jesus is the Christ. However, one’s confession of Jesus as Christ does not end with the words, “I believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.” One must continue to confess Jesus on a daily basis by the life that one lives. In that regard, a life of confession entails certain things.
First, a life of confession means denying selfish attitudes and interests. Confession forces us to conquer the first enemy that presents itself as a challenge to confessing Christ as Lord – one’s self. John 12:42-43 records the fact that some of the chief rulers would not confess Jesus. Verse forty-three tells us why: “because they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.” One must deny self and the concerns of the self (such as the praise of men), if one is to truly begin to confess Christ. This self-denial must then continue as one’s manner of life—a habit that perpetually presents itself in each moment. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me” (Matthew 16:24). With this thought in mind, the writer of the book of Hebrews said, “let us hold fast the confession of our hope that it waver not” (Hebrews 10:23).
Second, a life of confession means walking in the steps of Christ Jesus. There is a path that we must follow if we are to maintain a life of confession. The apostle John called it “walking in the light” (1 John 1:7). The apostle Paul exhorted, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him” (Colossians 2:6). The apostle Peter said, “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21). Walking in the steps of another is not necessarily simple; it takes effort, concentration, discernment, and steadfastness. A boundary is implied. One must actually see and know where those steps lie and the path that they take. To make a step in a different direction or outside of the steps of Christ is not to walk in His steps. When we so walk so as to follow his steps, we become His imitators, and exemplify Him in our life (1 Corinthians 11:1). Such a walk naturally confesses the Lord of such a life.
Third, a life of confession means promoting the teachings of Christ Jesus. Standing before the Sanhedrin counsel, the apostle Peter said, “For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard” (Acts 4:20). The apostle Paul wrote, “For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!” (1 Corinthians 9:16). And of the Christians enduring persecution at the hand of Saul, Luke recorded, “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). A Christian cannot continue to confess Christ without promoting the teachings of Christ. It is not enough merely to deny self and be a good example. One must verbally profess to others the truths of the gospel message. There are many methods to accomplish this. What is clear, however, is that others cannot become Christians without verbal teaching (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16). Christianity is a taught religion. Part of the Christian’s confession is to teach.
No doubt many other things could be said about a life of confession. This issue of the Christian Worker focuses upon confession as an essential element in God’s plan for man’s salvation. As you read through these articles, it is our prayer that you will come to see the essentiality of this teaching in God’s plan. May God bless you as you truly seek to confess Him, both now and perpetually.