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The Need To Confess Unto Salvation (2)
John R. Gentry
Last week we discussed the necessity of confessing our faith in Jesus in order to be saved (check website for archives). This week we conclude this topic by discussing the New Testament teaching concerning how the confession is to be made and the reality that all souls will confess Jesus, either now or later.
How Is The Confession Made?
The religious world teaches different things about how we should confess. We want the Bible answer. We notice first of all, regarding how the confession is to be made, that it is to be made with the mouth, i.e., a stated confession vs. example.
If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord...you will be saved...with the mouth one confesses unto salvation (Rom. 10.9-10; cf. Php. 2.10-11).
The Bible also teaches the confession is to be public. It is not, as many teach, a private statement made between a person and God in reciting some “sinner’s prayer.” Listen to the Word of God.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses (1 Tim. 6.12; cf. Matt. 10.32-33).
Everyone Will Confess Either Now Or Later
Not everyone will obey the gospel and become a child of God. However, the Bible is clear in stating everyone will confess Jesus as Lord. The difference between those whose confession will be “unto salvation” and those whose confession will be “unto damnation” is when they make the confession. Those who confess Christ as the result of being taught, believing, and obeying the gospel will confess “unto salvation.” Others will bow and confess Jesus on Judgment Day, when it will be too late to be saved. Notice the following passage.
...at the name of Jesus...every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord... (Php. 2.10-11; cf. Rom. 14.11).
Conclusion
What about you? Are you willing to publicly confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, the Son of God, in order to be saved? If you aren’t willing to confess him now, before he comes in the clouds, when you do confess Him, it will be too late.
If you have heard the gospel, submit your will to Jesus by believing in him, repenting of your sins, confessing your faith in Jesus, and being immersed with him in water (more on this in the next article).
originally published in the Banner-Gazette
2007.10.31