Romans 10:5-11 For Moses describes the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which does those things shall live by them.… I. CONFESSION is — 1. To say the same thing with others; to agree with. 2. To promise. 3. To acknowledge, to declare a person or thing to be what he or it really is. II. TO CONFESS CHRIST, THEREFORE, IS TO ACKNOWLEDGE HIM TO BE WHAT HE REALLY IS AND DECLARES HIMSELF TO BE — 1. The Son of God. 2. God manifest in the flesh. 3. The Saviour of the world. 4. The Lord. III. THE NATURE OF THIS CONFESSION. 1. It is not enough that we cherish the conviction in our hearts, or confess it to ourselves, to friends who agree with us, or to God. 2. It must be done publicly, or before men — foes as well as friends, amid good and evil report, when it brings reproach and danger as well as when it incurs no risk. 3. It must be with the mouth. It is not enough that men may infer from our conduct that we are Christians, we must audibly declare it. 4. This must be done — (1) In our ordinary intercourse. (2) In the way of God's appointment, i.e., by baptism and the Lord's Supper. 5. It must be sincere. "Not every one that saith, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven." It is only when the outward act is a revelation of the heart that it has any value. IV. ITS ADVANTAGES. 1. It strengthens faith. 2. It is a proof of regeneration, because it supposes the apprehension of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 3. It is an indispensable condition of salvation because — (1) God requires it. (2) Not to confess is to deny. (3) Denial implies want of faith or devotion. V. ITS OBLIGATION. 1. It is not merely a commandment. 2. It is the highest moral duty to acknowledge the truth, and especially to acknowledge God to be God. 3. It is the most direct means we can take to honour Christ, and to bring others to acknowledge Him. Conclusion. Read Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; Mark 8:38; 2 Timothy 2:12; 1 John 4:2, 15. (C. Hodge, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.WEB: For Moses writes about the righteousness of the law, "The one who does them will live by them." |
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