Article - What Must I do to be Saved? [Part 4]
In the fourth step in God’s plan of salvation is confession. The Apostle Paul reminded the Roman Christians that “with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10). From this text it evident that confession is an important part in the plan of salvation. Let’s take just a moment to see exactly what confession is.
A Confession of Faith in Christ. When one confesses that Jesus is the Christ, he is confessing his faith in the Son of God to save. A true follower of Christ will not be ashamed to be called a Christian in any situation. Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ…” (Romans 1:16). When I confess my faith in Christ, it is a faithfulness I will never deny even if my life is at stake (Revelation 2:10). During the first century, Christians often faced death by affirming their faith in Christ. One such story is that of Polycarp. Polycarp was taken before the Roman counsel and asked to deny faith in Christ. With great boldness, Polycarp looked at the counsel that held his life in their hands and responded, “For Eighty and six years my Lord has not denied me, how can I then deny Him?” How great it would be if all Christian made the great confession with this much conviction!
A Confession of Faithfulness to Christ. An individual’s confession of Christ also means that he is willing to faithfully follow the Lord every day of his life. Jesus said, "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). The confession Jesus is speaking of here is not just simply naming the name of Christ. Jesus had already told many of these people that just simply saying “Lord” would not save anyone. Jesus is here speaking of a confession of faith in Christ through one’s actions. When I confess Jesus is the Son of God, I am confessing to follow him faithfully all the days of my life. Confession is more than a one time act, it is a continual walk in the steps of the Savior (1 Peter 2:21).
Dear friend, have you confessed Jesus as your Lord and Savior with your lips and your life? May God give each one of us the courage to keep on confessing Jesus by the way we live our lives!
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