THE WORDS OF JESUS
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 46
“Everyone who acknowledge me before men”
“So, everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” – The Words of Jesus, Matthew 10:32-33
Have you ever been encouraged by your pastor, Sunday school teacher to memorize Matthew 10:32-33 as important verses in the Bible? (I didn’t think so. Me neither.)
The wording of these verses is of a highly technical nature. They also issue a grave warning.
The word ‘acknowledge’ (or ‘confess’ in some versions), is the Greek word ‘homologeó’, meaning to voice the same conclusion, i.e. agree, (“confess“); to profess because in full agreement; to align with, (to endorse). Covenant, acknowledge.
The word ‘denies’ (or ‘rejects’, in some versions), is the Greek word ‘arneomai’, means to deny (refuse); hence, contradict, refuse to affirm or to confess (identify with); disown (repudiate), to abnegate (To give up rights or a claim; to renounce. To deny. To deny and reject; to abjure.)
Is it possible that you ‘deny’ Jesus when you continually disobey Him? (This is different from sinning, feeling remorse and turning away from that sinful behavior).
Is it possible that you are denying Jesus in ways you are not recognizing? Do you pray? Do you treat your enemies with respect? Do you witness Christ to others? Do you regularly do things in private that you would be ashamed to do in public?
This is urgent because if you are denying Him, His commandments, His ways, His methods, you may be at grave risk.
Jesus says, plainly and flatly, “whoever denies (or rejects) me before men, I also will deny (and reject) before my Father who is in heaven.”
The funny thing about salvation is that it is ‘all in’ or ‘not in at all’. I hear preachers say you can ‘squeak into heaven’ or you can ‘make it to heaven by the skin of your teeth’, but that is a dangerous lie.
Jesus warns us that the devil is shrewd, and that we are to be sober, well-balanced and self-disciplined; we are to be alert and cautious at all times. Because your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a fiercely hungry, roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, (see 1 Peter 5:8), and that ‘someone’ is you and me.
Many in the current-day, postmodern church are turning a blind eye to sin and sinful behavior. In fact, sin is in fashion in the world and has crept fashionably into the churches. (Look how many people dress, talk, act and reject the ‘old ways’ of Christ). They call themselves Christians. They go to church, and, they would never consider themselves as ‘tares’, waiting to plucked up in the Great Harvest, thrown onto the fire and burned up, but that is the risk some are taking. DON’T BE ONE OF THOSE.
Understand this, that in these last days dangerous times [of great stress and trouble] will come [difficult days that will be hard to bear]. For people will be lovers of self [narcissistic, self-focused], lovers of money [impelled by greed], boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy and profane, [and they will be] unloving [devoid of natural human affection, calloused and inhumane], irreconcilable, malicious gossips, devoid of self-control [intemperate, immoral], brutal, haters of good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of [sensual] pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of [outward] godliness (religion), although they have denied its power [for their conduct nullifies their claim of faith]. Avoid such people and keep far away from them. (See 2 Timothy 3:1-5)
But the [Holy] Spirit explicitly and unmistakably declares that in later times some will turn away from the faith, paying attention instead to deceitful and seductive spirits and doctrines of demons, [misled] by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared as with a branding iron [leaving them incapable of ethical functioning]. (See 1 Timothy 4:1-2)
Dear brothers and sisters, let’s be on the alert and always ready to preach the word [as an official messenger]; be ready when the time is right and even when it is not [keep your sense of urgency, whether the opportunity seems favorable or unfavorable, whether convenient or inconvenient, whether welcome or unwelcome]; correct [those who err in doctrine or behavior], warn [those who sin], exhort and encourage [those who are growing toward spiritual maturity], with inexhaustible patience and [faithful] teaching. (See 2 Timothy 4:2).
The day of His return is very near – let’s pray for one another to stay sober, ready and on the alert.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
PREVIOUS: THE WORDS OF JESUS – WHAT ARE YOU TO DO WITH THEM? Part 45, “The disciple is not above his teacher”.
NEXT: THE WORDS OF JESUS – WHAT ARE YOU TO DO WITH THEM? Part 47, “Not peace, but a sword”.
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