Matthew 10:32-33
06/02/18 11:41
SEE WHAT IT SAYS - Therefore
WHOEVER CONFESSES ME BEFORE MAN
Matthew 10:32-33 (NKJV) “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
I was reading a book one time and the author said, “Whenever you see the word ‘Therefore’ you need to see what it’s there for.” Therefore is a very important word when studying Scripture. Therefore tells us we are about to hear a conclusion to something already being talked about.
This passage is often used at altar calls for a confession of faith. It’s also used when referring to a general conversation when someone may not admit they are a Christian and even used talking about times of persecution. These are the words of Christ and let’s see what they are there for.
When we back up to verse 16 we definitely see Christ talking about persecution, being hated, being arrested, and the likes. In relation to all this bad stuff that will happen to those who follow Christ, in verse 24, we see this famous statement of Christ, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” That kinda throws a wrench in the wealth, health, and comfort prosperity message.
Yahshua then moves into preaching in the open and on the rooftops and says, in American terms, “Don’t worry about those who come after you. The worst they can do is kill you.”
It’s at this point that Jesus says, “THEREFORE, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” While the confession can definitely relate to people who are being persecuted, it’s not a simple confession of faith. In fact, in its context, confessing Christ is preaching or witnessing to others in the midst of persecution; not secretly and not seldom but “in the light” and “from the rooftops”. To deny Christ is to walk by people every day and keep our mouth shut; and, worst still the denial is when this is the common practice in a country free from persecution for doing so.
WHOEVER CONFESSES ME BEFORE MAN
Matthew 10:32-33 (NKJV) “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
I was reading a book one time and the author said, “Whenever you see the word ‘Therefore’ you need to see what it’s there for.” Therefore is a very important word when studying Scripture. Therefore tells us we are about to hear a conclusion to something already being talked about.
This passage is often used at altar calls for a confession of faith. It’s also used when referring to a general conversation when someone may not admit they are a Christian and even used talking about times of persecution. These are the words of Christ and let’s see what they are there for.
When we back up to verse 16 we definitely see Christ talking about persecution, being hated, being arrested, and the likes. In relation to all this bad stuff that will happen to those who follow Christ, in verse 24, we see this famous statement of Christ, "A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.” That kinda throws a wrench in the wealth, health, and comfort prosperity message.
Yahshua then moves into preaching in the open and on the rooftops and says, in American terms, “Don’t worry about those who come after you. The worst they can do is kill you.”
It’s at this point that Jesus says, “THEREFORE, whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.” While the confession can definitely relate to people who are being persecuted, it’s not a simple confession of faith. In fact, in its context, confessing Christ is preaching or witnessing to others in the midst of persecution; not secretly and not seldom but “in the light” and “from the rooftops”. To deny Christ is to walk by people every day and keep our mouth shut; and, worst still the denial is when this is the common practice in a country free from persecution for doing so.
