Confessing the Gospel!

(Matthew 10:32) “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.”

To what extent am I willing to go for the sake of the gospel? Will I suffer friendships, lose relationships with family members or lose financial stability because I preach Christ and Him crucified. Without breaking that down; as it has many variables to consider with heaps of opinion attached to any of those conversations. Nevertheless, we will all be tried under the same banner, which will read something like this; “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:32): - Without Christ confessing our names to His heavenly Father we will remain barred from heavens number; “The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels.” (Revelation 3:5): - There are many serious considerations to the Lord Jesus confessing our names before God the Father and proclaiming the gospel is amongst that number. This then is a rather serious consideration!

With that said the responsibility of confessing the gospel to others then depends on the individual. However having said that let us remember that the human body has many parts to it and so with that understood not all will have the same function. Some will be more vocal than others, that is a given! But we all speak; confession is a sign if you like, proving where an individual stands on any given topic. If they are “green” give even the shyest person and opportunity to save the planet and they will be quick to voice their opinion.

It is our own agenda’s that force us into corners, we remain silent where and when we should be vocal. Here is a recorded example; “Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him, but for fear of the Pharisees they did not confess it, so that they would not be put out of the synagogue;” (John 12:42)

Yet there were others that had this testimony; Stephen the greatest of examples, a man so persuaded and concerned for the well-being of those who still walked in the dark, laid everything on the line to preach the gospel with this one intention that some might come to the light, the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. This is his story…

“Then some of those who belonged to the synagogue of the Freedmen (as it was called), and of the Cyrenians, and of the Alexandrians, and of those from Cilicia and Asia, rose up and disputed with Stephen. But they could not withstand the wisdom and the Spirit with which he was speaking. Then they secretly instigated men who said, "We have heard him speak blasphemous words against Moses and God." And they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, "This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us." And gazing at him, all who sat in the council saw that his face was like the face of an angel.” (Acts 6:9-15)

Acts chapter 7 gives a detail account of what he had to say concerning the gospel but we pick it up in verse 54…

“Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him. But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." But they cried out with a loud voice and stopped their ears and rushed together at him. Then they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their garments at the feet of a young man named Saul. And as they were stoning Stephen, he called out, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit." And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.” (Act 7:54-60): - A thought that now come to mind is this; “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36) 

He was content to lose his life so that others may find salvation in and through the gospel. Was this not rather extreme, that it was! but how did God feel about His commitment? The text teachers us that the Lord Jesus was pleased with Stephen, look at His reaction; “and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God." It pleased the Lord to such an extent that in the heavens, the celestial realm, He stood up off His chair and witnessed Stephen sacrifice. Praise God for accounts like this! It reminds us of Christ’s dedication to all who belong to Him.

We have two examples from scripture, those who believed but remain silent for fear of losing out, or that of Stephen who forsook all for the sake of the gospel. Where do we stand? I know where I stand if I am honest with myself, a far cry short of Stephens example. My prayer Father God would be that you would stir up the gift I received at salvation and that my mouth would be quick to proclaim the gospel. Instill a resolve in all you children’s hearts to be quick to confess Christ’s achievements regardless of the cost.

May we never forget the price it cost our glorious Saviour to bring us to understanding.

Signing off

Tyrone