Christian life begins with Christ and continues with Christ, but as we live for Christ, what are some of the steps one has to take.
While Step 1 in Christian life is to accept (receive) the Lord Jesus Christ, Step 2 in Christian life is “to confess” or to “Acknowledge.” For with the heart, man believeth (accepts) unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession (acknowledgment) is made unto salvation.
Acknowledging has two parts to it. One is to acknowledge one’s fallen state in sin, for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:9). The second is to acknowledge one’s personal need for the Savior Jesus Christ. We need to acknowledge our sins and acknowledge our Savior.
Points to ponder:
Have you believed (accepted) in your heart, that the Jesus Christ is Lord and an equally important question is have you acknowledged (confessed) your need of him or are you going about trying to establish your own righteousness, not submitting to the righteousness of God that is imputed on us when we believe in Jesus? Acknowledge today! For if we confess [acknowledge] with our mouths, that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved (Romans 10:9-10) and if we confess [acknowledge] our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).
And to fellow Christians, let us continue to keep the faith and be strong in the Lord, fixing our eyes on Jesus, not wavering in his purpose, acknowledging our perpetual need of him and for him, as he sanctifies us, until his coming to reign as KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Romans 10:2-11 (KJV)
2 For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge.
3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
5 For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
6 But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:)
7 Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.)
8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession [acknowledgment] is made unto salvation.
11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
1 John 1:8-10 (KJV)
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
9 If we confess [acknowledge] our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
