Highlights In Today's Reading:
In Chapter 10 Jesus' 12 apostles are called to Him, empowered, and sent forth. First He warns them of the suffering they should expect and then promises their eternal reward (10:42). The same message applies to His disciples today. In Chapter 11 Jesus denounces all who do not repent (11:20-24), Jesus' new message is personal: 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 (10:32-33). "Christians" who do not confess their love for Christ will soon be defeated. But the true Christian will be convicted in his heart that he should have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them (Ephesians 5:11).
How much better if, on the very first opportunity after he 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 are the Temple of the Living God. . . . come out from among them . . . saith the Lord (II Corinthians 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, an escape into pride and a snare of Satan.
Jesus was put to shame 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 men 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 (II Corinthians 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 (Revelation 12:11). He that overcometh . . . I will confess his name before My Father (Revelation 3:5).
Thought for Today:
Our God does not like a halfhearted, lukewarm, so-called Christian and will spue thee out of My mouth (Revelation 3:16). It is time to turn up the heat.
Word Studies:
10:25 Beelzebub =b> prince of evil; 10:29 a farthing =b> a small coin of little value; 10:35 variance =b> division, disagreement; 11:20 upbraid =b> to rebuke.
Cross References:
For Matthew 10:11, 35-36: See Micah 7:6. Matthew 11:5: See Isaiah 35:5; 61:1. Matthew 11:10: See Malachi 3:1. Matthew 11:23: See Ezekiel 26:20; 31:14; 32:18,24. Matthew 11:29: See Jeremiah 6:16.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Radio Sri Lanka International Shortwave Broadcasts sponsored by Mr. George M. Peterson • Bible Pathway Printer: Ambrose Printing Staff, Nashville TN • Government Official: Sen. Chuck Hagel (NE) • Country: Hungary (10.1 million) in east-central Europe • Major language: Hungarian • New freedom has opened the door to evangelism and Bible distribution • 61.7% Roman Catholic; 24.4% Protestant; 12.5% non-Religious/Other; .8% Jewish; .3% Orthodox; .2% Marginal; .1% Muslim • Prayer Suggestion: Sing praises to the Lord (Psa. 30:4).
Memory Verse for the Week: James 5:10