Public Confession and People’s Judgment

"Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.” Matthew 10:32 (N.L.T)

There is a stage for some Christians where they remain secretive: realizing that their lives will be open to public scrutiny once they confess Christ publicly. They look at the lives other Christians are living and fail to find many (if any) exemplary Christian life worth emulating and decide that they will not be “yoked” with them. At a later stage as they grow, they decide that they are now mature enough for public confession: they fully intend to become better Christians and be better examples. However these good intentions often fall to naught. They soon find that they are just as imperfect as others. Sometimes they face very difficult situations and make mistakes. Sometimes there are dry seasons when they have to trust God even though they do not ‘feel” his presence. But this is the way to grow further: they learn to be understanding and forgiving of other people’s failings and realize that their full sanctification will not be realized on this earth. They realize with humility that they need to have complete dependence upon God because they have no goodness except that which is found in Christ.

We are called to obedience; to believe in God, to profess him and to depend on him to ensure that his Glory is reflected in us.

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"When your good is evil spoken of; when your wishes are crossed, your taste offended, your advice disregarded, your opinion rid­iculed, and you take it all in patient, loving silence—That is victory.- L. A. Skinner

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