Much of what is talked about concerning the word confession is mentioned in reference to one confessing their sins. Confessing one’s sins is mentioned in the Bible and Christians are encouraged to do so. 1 John 1:9 reads as such: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” This is a very true statement and indeed needs to be a vibrant part of the life of the Christian. But today we are going to be discussing a different type of confession.
Romans 10:9-10 reads:
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation.
This particular scripture says that a person confessing the LORD JESUS (“Jesus as Lord” or “that Jesus is Lord” depending on the translation) coupled with a believing heart that GOD raised JESUS from the dead will be saved. These will lead to salvation.
The Greek word for confess is homologeō. Other descriptors for this word are: profess, assent (i.e. covenant), or a formal expression of agreement or acceptance. Through these synonyms, we can see that this is not just mere words being uttered out of one’s mouth. On the contrary, these are words prompted out of an overflowing heart (Luke 6:45). It is not something done rashly but rather the confessing mouth understands the conditions of the confession.
The confession is only as strong as the belief accompanied with it. This is not a new law. No, this is the result of a believing heart. Confessing JESUS as LORD is not something on a checklist to be checked off ensuring that a person gets into Heaven. GOD knows what’s in the heart of man (1 Samuel 16:7, Romans 2:16) and a confession without belief is empty and profits nothing. At the same time, true confession is the measurement of one’s belief. True belief demands a true confession. This is why The Apostle Johns points out:
42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (John 12:42-43).
The people above believed in JESUS, but they refused to confess HIM. The scriptures do not speak highly of those people. Again, true belief demands a true confession.
So, as we go about this life believing in JESUS, let us confess HIM also. There will always be some type of opposition to our confession. There may always be a reason for us to not confess HIM. May it never be said that we loved the praise of men more than the praise of GOD. And if we fail, may HIS grace teach us to deny ungodliness.
Grace and peace.
