Greetings in the life of God, beloved. Today is another opportunity to study the Word of God together, the living water that purifies our souls daily.
We all know that the Bible gives a simple principle for salvation: “faith” and “confession.” Yet, sadly, this simplicity has often been misunderstood, so much so that the true depth and weight of these words have been lost. Many of us are taught—or assume—that the process of salvation is simply to believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, and then confess with your mouth that He is Lord. This, we are told, is enough to make you a child of God and an heir of His kingdom.
This is why today it is easy to hear anyone claiming to be saved: a drunkard, a blasphemer, an idol-worshipper, even a sinner of immoral life, all saying, “I am saved.” Why? Because at some point, they confessed Jesus and believed in Him.
But is that truly what the Bible teaches about salvation? When we examine Scripture, we find that even demons believe and tremble before Jesus because they know He is alive (James 2:19). They also acknowledge Him as the Son of God (Luke 4:41).
The Early Church: Faith and Confession as a Serious Commitment By God’s grace, let us examine the Word concerning faith and confession, especially in the early church, to see what it really meant. Consider John 9:18–23:
“The Jews did not believe that he had been blind and had received his sight until they called the parents of the man who had received his sight. They asked them, ‘Is this your son, who you say was born blind? How then does he now see?’ His parents answered, ‘We know he is our son and that he was born blind, but how he now sees, we do not know. Ask him; he is of age. He will speak for himself.’ His parents said this because they feared the Jews, for the Jews had already agreed that anyone who acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah would be put out of the synagogue.” (John 9:18–23, NIV)
Notice here that confessing Jesus openly was not trivial. It came with real consequences. Before confessing, believers had to consider the social and religious repercussions, including rejection by family, community, and synagogue. In the Jewish context, being excommunicated meant losing social, religious, and familial support—effectively becoming an outcast.
Even during Jesus’ earthly ministry, many secretly believed in Him (including Nicodemus and other leaders) but feared public confession because of these consequences:
“Yet at the same time many even among the leaders believed in him. But because of the Pharisees they would not openly acknowledge their faith for fear they would be put out of the synagogue; for they loved human praise more than praise from God.” (John 12:42–43, NIV)
After Christ’s death and resurrection, confessing faith publicly became even more dangerous. Early Christians faced threats of death, imprisonment, or severe persecution. Confessing Jesus then was a courageous and deliberate act of commitment, not just casual words. This is why the early church endured severe hardships—they were living examples of faith and confession through trials.
Faith and Confession Today: Living It Out Paul reminds us in Romans 10:9–10:
“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.”
In the early church, this confession was taken very seriously. It signified a readiness to embrace suffering, rejection, and even death for Christ. It was not a one-time verbal declaration, but a daily commitment to live for Him. Today, however, the act of confession is often misunderstood. People may claim to have confessed Jesus but are unwilling to carry their cross, forsake sinful habits, or fully follow Him in lifestyle and obedience. True confession requires action, reflecting a transformed life that aligns with Christ (James 2:17).
Practical Confession True confession involves visible commitment: leaving behind sinful practices, turning away from worldly attachments, and actively serving God. It is living in a way that demonstrates you truly follow Christ, not just saying it with words. As we surrender our lives and walk faithfully with Him, God works progressively in us, cleansing us and securing the foundation of salvation in our hearts (Ephesians 4:30).
So start today: confess Jesus in your life through action, and the Lord will be present with you. Your faith will be proven genuine, and He will guide you step by step.
Summary of Key Points for Reflection:
Salvation is not merely words; it is faith expressed in action.
Confession in Scripture carried weight and consequences.
Early believers endured persecution as evidence of genuine faith.
Modern confession must also involve transformation of life, not just verbal acknowledgment.
God’s grace works progressively to seal and perfect believers in Him.
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