ESOCS Devotional 8 July 2021
TEXT: LUKE 12:8-12
MEMORY VERSE: “Also I say unto you, whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.” (Luke 12: 8, 9 KJV).
In His teaching about hypocrisy, Jesus talked about the reward for confessing or denying Him before men, respectively. First, we deny Him when we (1) hope no one will find out we are Christians, (2) decide not to speak out for what is right, (3) are silent about our relationship with God, (4) blend into society, (5) accept our culture’s non-Christian values, (6) pervert justice instead of speaking against it. We can also deny Him through our lifestyle, speech, dressing, conduct, etc., when we are supposed to be an Epistle (letter) legibly written and without ambiguity to the unbelievers.
Jesus stated in clear terms the reward in verse 9. In contrast, we confess Him when we (1) live moral, upright, Christ-honoring lives, (2) look for opportunities to share our faith with others, (3) help others in need, (4) take a stand for justice, (5) love others, (6) acknowledge our loyalty to Christ, and (7) use our lives to carry out His desires rather than ours.
Experience has shown that some believers hidetheir Bible when they are in the midst of their friends, relations, office colleagues, etc. who are unbelievers. This prevents them from carrying out their apostolic mandate.
It is true that we are in a well-educated society where many are frustrating the preaching of the gospel. But we are not left alone unprepared. Jesus promised us of the Holy Ghost, the Comforter and Teacher (John 14:26). He emboldens us to stand before kings [Acts 2]. Speak out. Confess Jesus now. It has reward.
- What factors prevent you from confessing Jesus Christ before people?
- Ask God to give you the power to overcome the identified factors.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional here
FURTHER READING: Daniel 3:8-18; Acts 2:14-47; 9:20-22, 29; 2 Timothy 1:7, 8, 12
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ESOCS Devotional 8 July 2021
