Bible Pathway - October 4, 2011
Read Matthew 10
Highlights:
Thank God for today's message from Jesus who said: Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven (Matt. 10:32). John the Baptist is about to be beheaded, but he makes the right choice (10:28). Jesus praises him as His messenger (11:1-15). Unbeliever's actions and judgment (11:16-24). Life's greatest invitation: Come unto Me (11:28-30).
Confessing Christ alone as Savior and Lord of our lives separates a person from the world. Jesus said: Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven (Matt. 10:32-33). "Christians" who do not confess their love for Christ will soon be defeated. But the true Christian will be convinced in his heart that he should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Eph. 5:11).
How much better if, on the very first opportunity after a person receives Christ as his Savior, he clearly confesses that he is a Christian and Christ is Savior and Lord of his life! It is clear that our fellowship should not be with the unsaved crowd since ye (we) are the Temple of the Living God. . . . Wherefore come out from among them . . . saith the Lord (II Cor. 6:16-17).
What kind of person would sit with a crowd which was cursing and criticizing his father and pretend to go along with such talk? That situation would hardly be tolerated. Can a Christian enjoy fellowship with a Christ-rejecting, cursing crowd and keep silent?
Some people believe that to confess with their mouths is not essential; rather what really matters is to merely exhibit good conduct before others. But no matter how good one's conduct is, if we consistently fail to witness, our spiritual lives are weakened.
Some are afraid to confess the Lord for fear they will be ridiculed. They would rather wait a few years; then, after they have "proved themselves worthy," they plan to confess the Lord. This too is a deception, the result of pride and a snare of Satan.
Jesus was humiliated before Pilate and the mocking crowd, and by the soldiers at Calvary; then He was put to death for your sins and mine. Any humiliation we receive from mankind today can never be compared with the shame which our Lord endured as He was made . . . sin for us . . . that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (5:21). Under no circumstances should we ever be ashamed of confessing Christ as our Savior. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony (Rev. 12:11).
Thought for Today:
He that overcometh . . . I will confess his name before My Father (Rev. 3:5).
Cross References:
For Matt. 10:11, 35-36: See Mic. 7:6. Matt. 11:5: See Is. 35:5; 61:1. Matt. 11:10: See Mal. 3:1. Matt. 11:23: See Ezek. 26:20; 31:14; 32:18,24. Matt. 11:29: See Jer. 6:16.
Word Studies:
10:25 Beelzebub prince of evil; 10:29 a farthing a small coin of little value; 10:35 variance division, disagreement; 11:20 upbraid rebuke.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for International Broadcasts in memory of Letha Hash • Staff: Dan Murton • Country: Bangladesh (125.7 million) in southern Asia • Major languages: Bangla and English • Present religious freedom may become limited • 86.6% Muslim; 12.1% Hindu; .6% Buddhist; .3% Christian; .4% Other • Prayer Suggestion: Seek the Lord when you are oppressed (Ps. 102:8-13).
Memory Verse for the Week:
