YOU are a young convert. You have come to Christ, and have been saved by Him. God knows this, and you know it; but God wants you to let others know it. He wants you to own that you belong to Christ. This is what is meant by " confession." Take your stand for Christ!
Wherever you may be, in the barracks or trenches, on the battleship, in the office or at the bench, and above all at home, take your stand for Christ at once. Keep close enough to Him to be at a long distance from an evil man, a foolish jest or a wicked story. From the side of Christ down to the company of fools who make a mock of sin (Prov. 14. 9) is a deep descent indeed, and you will find the return difficult and sorrowful. Be careful what you laugh at. Christ, the living Bread, which came down from Heaven, is your daily food (read John 6). Do not let the ungodly suppose that you have a relish for unholy talk. If Christ is your life, then say with Paul: " To me to live is Christ."
Next, confess Christ with your lips.
" What's your name, Doctor? "
It was on the battle-field. A soldier lay bleeding to death. Seeing a surgeon passing near, he faintly called, " Doctor, please." The surgeon dismounted, attended to the man, gave all possible relief, and ordered him to be conveyed at once to the hospital.
As he was leaving, the wounded man asked, " What's your name, doctor? "
" Oh! no matter."
" But, doctor, I want to tell my wife and children, who saved my life."
Surely that was becoming gratitude, and do you not think the Lord Jesus deserves as much from you? Does He not say to you as He did to another, " Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee " (Mark 5. 19). Tell it out, dear young believer. It will strengthen you. It will be a safeguard to you. It is more likely you will stand firm if you openly confess the name of Christ.
Is confession easy?
No, it is not. And it becomes no easier because it is postponed. To-day you may confess Christ with blushes and awkwardness, with blunders and stammering lips. Never mind; better to confess Christ so than be silent. To-morrow it will be much easier, and soon you may be so strong in His strength that you cannot help saying with the Psalmist-" Come and hear, all ye that fear God, and I will declare what He hath done for my soul " (Psa. 66. 16).
After all, you will not have to lay down your life to seal your witness for Christ. If your confession brings suffering, it will not be like the suffering, which many have endured before you. The history of confession is written in blood and flame, and tender boys and girls have their record on its pages.
During a massacre of Christians at Marash in Armenia; some years ago, a lad was given the option of death or of denying Christ, and was instantly beheaded. When his headless body was taken to his mother to terrify her, and to convert her to Mohammedanism, she kissed the dead son's hand, and said, " Rather so, my son, than living to deny our Lord and Savior."
Do not be a coward, but follow in the track of such brave confessors, who are passing Heavenward, led by Christ Himself. You have countless blessings, may you not miss this one:
" Blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me " (Matt. 11. 6). " 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 (Rom. 10. 9).
I remember an old lady saying to me, " Thank God for the three shalts: ‘Shalt confess’—‘Shalt believe’—‘Shalt be saved.’" How wonderful!