Confessed!

Confessed!

Anyone who confesses (acknowledges, owns) that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides (lives, makes His home) in him and he [abides, lives, makes his home] in God. 1 John 4:15 AMPC

There is no other way to emphasise the importance of the message in today's extract than to just say it lies at the core and foundation of all that we are today. The central truth in the passage under consideration is this: Jesus is the Son of God. You see, here is the clincher: we have heard this statement several times in our lifetime, and maybe taken it for granted so many times, yet what I say or believe about it isn't what makes it true. It is true regardless of what I say or do, or whether I believe it or not. This truth is not subject to my acceptance or manipulation, but it is a truth for all time, and will be the basis of the coming judgment. 

Note: Jesus asked his disciples this question while he was still with them: 'Who do men say I am'. He also asked them: 'Who do you say I am'. The response by Peter to that very personal question is the foundation on which the church is built till today, and which the gates of hell cannot prevail against. It didn't matter what the opinion of the world was; the truth was all that mattered, and it is a truth all who will follow after God must accept, embrace and promote. 

You don't confess something until you have become convinced of its truth. You don't confess something you have not believed and proven. And it matters what you confess: do you take Jesus as just one of those great men who once lived, or is He indeed your Lord and Saviour? It goes deeper than the usual mouth confession, but a heart profession that finds expression from my life's external manifestation. As men come in contact with me, does that confession shine out? Can men read my allegiance from relating with me? Can men make out my confession? 

And the reward or consequence linked to my confession is also clearly stated: my life becomes a place of residence for God to dwell in. It says: 'God MAKES a home in that person. It is like God brings all the things that make him comfortable, so He can live in there. He cleans it up, puts in all that I require for life and Godliness. It is not a temporary arrangement, only good for some time until a better place comes along. It is permanent residence; a home. It also goes both ways: "God lives in the man, and the man also lives in God. Its like a perfect relationship where you can't get to one without getting to the other.

And the offer is open to all men, no matter the origin or the present location. It is open to ANYONE. It does not matter what the past or the present looks like; this is a matter that goes to the root of where I am headed eternally. I must address my present if my future will be anything like God has said it would. The offer is open now, but we also know from God's Word also that it will not be open forever. The door of grace is open now, but judgment will come. We can't leave it until it is too late to decide for God. While there is time, a decision has to be made: confess or perish. As harsh as it sounds, those are the options. What is your own choice? His time of favour is here.