Glass Street church of Christ

site last modified
February 26, 2008

CONFESSION
IS GOOD FOR THE SOUL!

by Randy Meyer

Most of us have heard the expression “confession is good for the soul.” But, have you ever considered how true this biblical principal is in our salvation?

We have all seen the police dramas on television where the criminal confesses the crime. He admits he has broken the law. As Christians, we are also told to confess our sins of breaking the laws of God (I John 1:9). Keep in mind the context of such passage. To “confess our sins” is addressed to those which are already Christians following after Christ but which have stumbled.

However, there is a confession which must be made before one can become a child of God. Christ stated “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matt. 10:32 KJV). If we have any expectation of Christ acknowledging before His Father that we are one of His, we must be willing to confess Him. Failing to do so will result in Christ denying us before God in that day (Matt. 10:33).

But how is this confession made? Is it merely a confession in our minds? Paul, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, revealed to the church at Rome “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:10 KJV). We see from this passage the logical process established by God. One cannot confess without first believing. We also cannot fool ourselves that we believe if we are not willing to confess that in which we believe.

For examples of this confession, we must look to God’s Word. In Matthew 16:17, Peter makes what can be termed the “great confession” when he said “Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (KJV). Christ thereafter stated that upon Peters confession He will build His church. In the example of the Ethiopian Eunuch, we find the Eunuch’s confession upon which Christ’s church is built. In Acts 8:37, “And Philip said, if thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (KJV). He confessed with is mouth (vocal) that Christ is the Son of God. This is the confession needed before one can become a child of God.

However, so there be no misunderstanding of what the scriptures are teaching, I want to point out the language contained in Romans 10:10 relating to confession and salvation. It states “with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” It does NOT say into salvation. Although the following point will be contrary to what most denominations falsely teach, Romans 10:10 teaches that belief alone DOES NOT MAKE YOU RIGHTEOUS and that confession alone DOES NOT SAVE YOU. Belief will lead you UNTO righteousness and confession will lead you UNTO salvation but will not place you IN them. We understand this concept in our physical lives. If you were to go unto your friends house, you would be AT their house. You would not be IN their home.

Why is it then when it comes to God’s Word, which when rightly divided (understood) has the power to save, many in the religious world will cast away such a simple concept to make His Word match what they want it to say? We have found in this study the first century truth that confession is not the last step in the path to becoming an acceptable child of God. This truth is the same truth in the 21st century.

We will address the final step in becoming a Christian in our next issue. Until that time, I encourage you to consider what the bible has taught on the subject of confession and compare such with your religious beliefs and practice. Are they the same? If not, which are you willing to choose?