1 John 4:15 AMPC
[15] 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.
There is power in confession. That which the mouth says is a function of the conviction that has been established in the heart. There are times when hypocrisy and eye-service may work to create a confusion between what the heart believes and what the mouth confesses but this verse is speaking to people whose hearts have been convicted by the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that can rid a man of deceit and selfishness. It is the Holy Spirit that can so work on a man's heart that his lips will have no choice but to accept and acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God. It has to be established here that what I choose to believe does not in any way change the fact that Jesus is the Son of God. I can accept or reject it, but the Sonship of Jesus had long been established before any of us alive today was born. He does not need me to be God but my life will be the blessing and have the impact it was created for if I would submit to the Lordship and authority of Jesus, and allow Him work in and through me that which is His perfect will. Anything less will only end up in disgrace.
What would the benefit of this confession be? The verse above says God is pleased to make his home in the one who confesses that Jesus is the Son of God. Why is this critical? I cannot accept the Lordship and authority of Jesus and still hold on to my own ways. I cannot claim that Jesus is Lord of my life and I am still struggling for control and influence with God. It means that I have let go, and I am allowing Jesus reign and rule in my life. Of course, God does not force Himself on anyone but for as many as would take him up on his free offer of salvation will have access to the presence and provision of God for all of life. It has to be noted also that this becomes a mutually beneficial relationship. God lives in me and I also live in God. Nothing touches me without God's permission. Nothing happens to me by accident, but by His divine design. I am at home with God in this physical body, and also expectant of the amazing life that lies ahead in the incorruptible body. Does this describe me? God's time of favour is here.
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