FIRST and foremost, when anyone, old or young, is converted to God, he is bound by the most sacred obligations, to confess his Saviour and his Lord. How this confession shall be made must depend upon surrounding circumstances, but Scripture teaches that confession should be by word of mouth― “if thou shalt confess with thy mouth” (Rom. 10:99That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)). A very few humble words suffice to make clear to worldly associates that the speaker is a Christian! Young people, especially, have but to say a word or two, or, indeed, to abstain from entering into much of what is said, to be recognized as “religious”! aware what a powerful influence is produced by a bold confession of Christ before men, so we do not enlarge upon this. The battle is won, we may say, when the colors are boldly unfurled. Never should the Christian forget that his Lord and Master looks to him to make open confession of His Name, and also that it will be owned and honored in the coming day. “I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of Man also confess before the angels of God.” (Lake 12:8.)
When once we have stood out on the Lord’s side a number of our fears and difficulties vanish, but, for all that, we must not consider that the mere confession of our being Christians is everything! We must not rest satisfied in having taken the first step. There is a need in our lives of everyday confession of Christ. Some can recall the first great step they took when they openly declared they were Christians, and then other great steps which followed this confession, such as giving up outward worldly things, gaieties, follies, and the like. Each such step was a practical confession of Christ, who is Lord and Master of His people. No man can serve God and mammon; we cannot follow the Lord Jesus and the world, hence every faithful step may be regarded as a practical confession of Christ’s Name.
Now where this avowal has taken place, there is still more necessary. Suppose one converted who is naturally selfish, and whom we will supposed to have owned that Christ is his Saviour. A very good confession by him to Christ would be unselfish living. It is good and right to own the Lord Jesus as one’s Saviour from judgment to come, and to speak well of His Name in saving sinners, but beyond this we are called to live in the power of His might, so that our life shall witness to His Name. Suppose an impatient and ill-tempered person converted. What a gracious witness to who our Saviour is, would be Christian patience and gentleness in such a believer. How readily would the family circle perceive the change, and understand what it means in such a case!
Unless life-confession accompany lip-confession the result in those around us will be very feeble. Frequently the world regards the expression of the assurance of salvation as spiritual pride, and faith in God’s plain word as fanaticism, but even the world honors “fanatics” who are truthful, upright, honest, kind, and good, and who live this life in the power of Christ.
A rough man, whose home had been a miserable one, became converted. “Have you told your wife that you are now a Christian?” he was asked. His reply was, “I let her find it out!” His was life-confession, at which the once ill-used wife was astonished.
Some of our readers have been converted for years, and they are known in their several circles as active, professing Christians, and, it may be, as people zealous for Christian truth in this infidel day. Now, as a daily confession to Christ is required of the old as well as the young Christian in Christ-like behavior, holiness, and love, in words and ways, all may well inquire how the Lord’s test, “by their fruits ye shall know them,” works out in their case.
Christians would do well to examine themselves as to the character of their life-confession to Christ. A walk like Christ’s walk is what should be sought after. Meekness, lowliness, bowels of mercies, kindness, a tender heart, an unselfish life, love and truth should be exhibited. Such a life confesses Christ very graciously before men, and, seeing such works, they glorify our Father who is in heaven, for it is the power of God in us which enables us to live like Christ!