One of the greatest moments in worship to our God is when the gospel call for salvation convicts a soul to come forward and confess their faith in Jesus Christ. We see the look of joy in Christ mixed with the guilt of sin in their eyes as they profess, “Yes. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God.” Based on that confession, they are then baptized for the forgiveness of all of their sins (cf. Acts 2:38). We can then all rejoice that salvation has come to another soul.
Confession is a vital step in God’s plan of salvation. Paul says clearly in Romans 10:9, “…that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” So, confession and belief go hand-in-hand. You can’t have one without the other. If you confess, then you are showing what is in your heart and if you believe with all your heart, then you can’t help but confess. But, is the confession that leads to salvation simply a one-time act that happens at the front pew or in a baptistry?
In verse 9, the words “confess” and “believe” are in the past tense. This certainly indicates an action that occurred in the past. However, in the next verse, “believes” and “confession” are in the present tense. This is a subtle explanation of the obvious, that belief and confession of faith must continue “…unto salvation” (v. 10). Confession needs to be a defining feature of our lives as much as belief.
If confession is a defining feature of our lives, then there may be times that we need to confess that faith outside of the church building. If we are truly living as Christians, then people are going to ask questions. So, Peter instructs us to “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” (1 Pet. 3:15).
This may not be as easy as it sounds. What we believe may be hard for people to understand. We believe in something that should be impossible in nature. Remember, our confession is that 2,000 years ago a man was raised from the dead. That is pretty far-fetched for most people. If you went around telling people this, what would they think of you? They might think you’re crazy. They might make fun of you. They might try to make you deny your faith.
But, if you truly believe with all of your heart, then no words someone may say will be able to convince you to lie against yourself. Denying the resurrection is evidence that you never truly believed to begin with. “Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father” (1 John 2:23).
The confession that leads to salvation doesn’t care what others think. It is the truth that brings eternal life.