The Necessity of Confessing Faith in Jesus

By Jeff Arnette       One of the most important aspects of being a Christian is confessing faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This means publicly acknowledging that Jesus is the Son of God who died for our sins and rose again from the dead. Confessing faith in Jesus also means living according to his teachings and commands and following his example of love and service.     The Bible tells us that confessing faith in Jesus has eternal consequences. In Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus says: “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven.” This shows us that confessing faith in Jesus is not optional, but essential for our salvation. For example, in Acts 4:12, Peter declares: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” Confessing faith in Jesus is the only way to be saved from sin and death.     The Bible also tells us that confessing faith in Jesus has spiritual benefits. In 1 John 4:15, John writes: “If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God.” This shows us that confessing faith in Jesus is not only a verbal declaration, but a personal relationship with God. Confessing faith in Jesus allows us to experience God’s presence, power, and love in our lives. For example, in Romans 8:16-17, Paul writes: “The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ.” Confessing faith in Jesus makes us part of God’s family and gives us a glorious inheritance.     Therefore, confessing faith in Jesus is not something we should be ashamed of or afraid of. It is something we should be proud of and eager to do. Confessing faith in Jesus is a way of honoring him, trusting him, and loving him. Confessing faith in Jesus is a way of expressing our gratitude for his grace, mercy, and forgiveness. Confessing faith in Jesus is a way of witnessing to others about his goodness, truth, and beauty.

- Jeff Arnette preaches for the Central Haywood church of Christ, Clyde, NC.  He may be contacted through the congregation's website: https://centralhaywoodcoc.com/

Confession And Consistency

By Joe Slater

    By confessing Jesus as Lord, we obligate ourselves to obey Him. “Lord” isn’t just a respectful title. It refers to a master, one who has the right to decide and control.

    Jesus asked this piercing question: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). Calling Jesus ‘Lord’ acknowledges that He has the right to decide what we ought to do and to control our behavior. He has done so through His inspired word, the Bible. Do we recognize our own inconsistency when we call Him Lord, yet neglect to do what the Scriptures teach?

    An old cliché says, “Talk is cheap.” Truly, we can pay lip service to nearly anything. “You shouldn’t litter!” (Then I throw trash out of my car window.) “I love my family!” (Then I speak harshly, sarcastically, and rudely to them.)

    Confessing Christ as Lord certainly is a good thing! In fact, it’s essential to salvation (Romans 10:9-10). But Jesus demands more than mere lip service. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Moreover, we don’t get to pick and choose what parts of His will to obey. Those converted to Christ are to “obey all things that I have commanded you” (28:20).

    A servant who refuses to obey his master shouldn’t expect that master to be pleased with him. Do you expect Jesus to be pleased with you?

- Joe Slater serves as minister of the Church of Christ in Justin, TX. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://justinchurchofchrist.com