ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLICLY. Romans 10:9-10

ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLICLY

Romans 10:9-10  “if you acknowledge publicly with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and trust in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be delivered. For with the heart one goes on trusting and thus continues toward righteousness, while with the mouth one keeps on making public acknowledgement and thus continues toward deliverance.”  - 

Complete Jewish Bible version

ACKNOWLEDGE PUBLICLY

As human beings, we all have a deep desire to be acknowledged and accepted by others. We thrive on recognition and validation from our peers and loved ones. This desire for acknowledgement also extends to our faith journey – we want to be seen and accepted by God for who we are and what we believe. But there is a specific type of acknowledgement that holds great power in our spiritual lives – public acknowledgement.

In Romans 10:9, it says, "If you acknowledge publicly with your mouth that Yeshua is Lord and trust in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be delivered." This powerful verse speaks to the importance of publicly acknowledging our faith in Jesus Christ. But what does it mean to publicly acknowledge our faith, and why is it so significant?

This excerpt from the United Methodist Book of Worship is part of the ritual of baptism. 

The pastor asks:

On behalf of the whole Church, I ask you: Do you reject all that is evil, repent of your sin, and accept the freedom and power God gives you to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?

The responsive is, “I do.”

The next question is, “Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?”

The response again is, “I do.”

Public acknowledgement is more than just saying the words "I believe in Jesus." It goes beyond a private confession of faith and involves making a public declaration of our beliefs. It is a bold and courageous act that requires us to step out of our comfort zone and share our faith with others. When we publicly acknowledge our faith, we are making a statement to the world that Jesus is our Lord and Savior.

But why is this public acknowledgement so crucial in our faith journey? 

First and foremost, it shows that we are not ashamed of our beliefs. In today's society, there is often pressure to keep our faith hidden or to water it down to avoid offending others. However, by publicly acknowledging our faith, we are boldly proclaiming that it is an essential part of who we are and that we will not be silenced or ashamed of it.

Furthermore, public acknowledgement is an act of obedience to God. In Matthew 10:32-33, Jesus says, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven." By publicly acknowledging our faith, we are fulfilling God's command and showing our love and devotion to Him.

Public acknowledgement also opens up opportunities for fellowship, discipleship, and accountability. By surrounding ourselves with other believers, we can grow in our faith and become stronger disciples of Christ.

Moreover, public acknowledgement is a powerful tool for evangelism. As Christians, we are called to share the good news of Jesus Christ with others. By publicly acknowledging our faith, we are sharing our testimony and inviting others to know Jesus for themselves. Our public acknowledgement may be the very thing that leads someone else to salvation. I often say that the gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John are not as effective as the stories of Bob and Brenda or Jill and Jim. People respond to your living testimony far more readily than to those of people dead for thousands of years.

It is essential to note that public acknowledgement of our faith should not be a one-time event or a mere formality. It is an ongoing process that requires us to continue making public declarations of and living our faith. Romans 10:10 says, "For with the heart one goes on trusting and thus continues toward righteousness, while with the mouth one keeps on making public acknowledgement and thus continues toward deliverance." 

In addition to publicly acknowledging our faith, it is also vital to trust in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead. This trust goes beyond mere belief; it is a deep seated conviction that Jesus is who He says He is – the Son of God and the Savior of the world. 

When we trust in the very core of our being and publicly acknowledge our faith, we experience a sense of freedom and deliverance from the bondage of sin. It allows us to let go of any shame or fear associated with our old identity. And lets us fully embrace our identity as followers of Christ.

Here's the condensed version, public acknowledgement of our faith is a powerful and essential aspect of our spiritual journey. It shows our love and devotion to God, invites others to join us on our journey, and leads us towards righteousness and deliverance. As we continue to trust in our hearts and make public declarations of our faith, may we never be ashamed to boldly proclaim that Yeshua is Lord. Amen

LOVE OF CHRIST URGES US ON

LOVE OF CHRIST URGES US ON

2 Corinthians 5:14-15

(Second draft)

“For the love of Christ urges us on, because we are convinced that one has died for all; therefore all have died. And he died for all, so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the one who for their sake died and was raised.”

As Christians, we are called to live a life that is centered around the love of Christ. This love is an active force that motivates and guides us in all aspects of our lives. 

The passage starts by stating that the love of Christ urges us on. This word “urges” carries a sense of urgency and intensity. It is not a gentle nudge, but a strong and compelling force that drives us forward. The sense of urgency and intensity is not a mild push, but a powerful and persuasive drive that propels us ahead. This love is not passive, but rather proactive and deliberate. It motivates us to take action, to step out of our comfort zones and strive for a life that aligns with God's will. In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, we are reminded of this love and its powerful impact on our lives.

Have you ever felt an urge to do something out of your normal routine? Or perhaps to say something or go somewhere?

I can think of several times that I've followed those promptings and several times I haven't. Here is one where I hesitated before following that urge. 

I was driving one day when I saw a man in a powered wheelchair stuck on a crumpled curb. There was no ramp down one side and up the other. I immediately felt the need to help. Unfortunately there were cars behind me and no way for them to pass on the curving street. I decided to go around the block and come back on the street which he was attempting to cross. I did that. However when I was back at the intersection another car had stopped in the street blocking traffic and was attempting to help. The man in the car behind the road blocking car got out of his car and came to help also. Both of these men were younger and more able to lift that man and his chair over the curbs than I was. Making this event possibly even more memorable is that between the three men there were three races.  I had been urgent to stop but didn't immediately. When I arrived back I wasn't needed. Evidently others had felt that same urging to assist. I've always regretted that I hadn't just stopped on that first impulse as these other men had. I think I missed the chance to be a blessing and possibly the chance to receive a blessing because I delayed the urge to help.

CHRIST DIED

The love of Christ is not just for a select few, but for all. The verse states that “one has died for all”. This speaks of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of our sins. God’s love for us is a love that knows no boundaries or limits.

ALL HAVE DIED

The verse then goes on to say that “therefore all have died”. This may seem like a strange statement at first glance, but it is a reminder that through Christ’s death, we have also died to our old selves. Our old sinful nature has been crucified with Christ and we are now made new in Him as Galatians 2:19b-21 states, “For through the law I died to the law, so that I might live to God. I have been crucified with Christ, 20 and it is no longer I who live, but it is Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” This death allows us to be free from the bondage of sin and live a life that is pleasing to God. 

GODCENTRIC

Why did Christ die for us? The verse continues by saying “so that those who live might live no longer for themselves but for the one who for their sake died and was raised”. Jesus’ death was not in vain. It was an act of selfless love that was done for our sake. And in response to this love, we are called to live a life that is no longer centered around ourselves, but for God.

LIFE OF SERVICE

Living for God means putting Him first in everything we do. It means surrendering our desires and ambitions to His will. It means living a life of obedience and serving others with love, just as Christ did for us. This may not always be easy, but the love of Christ urges us on and gives us the strength and motivation to keep going.

POINT OF VIEW CHANGE

When we truly understand the magnitude of God’s love for us, it changes everything. It changes how we view ourselves, others, and the world around us. We are no longer just living for ourselves, but for the one who died for us. Our purpose and identity are now rooted in Christ and His love for us.

REBORN TO SHARE

This love also has a powerful impact on our relationships with others. When we are motivated by the love of Christ, we see others through His eyes – as beloved creations of God who also need to experience His love and grace. It compels us to reach out and share the good news of Jesus with those around us, regardless of their background or beliefs.

REFLECTING JESUS

Furthermore, the love of Christ also guides us in how we treat others. In John 13:35, Jesus says, “By this all people will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another.” Our love for others is a reflection of our love for Christ. It is a witness to the world that we are followers of Jesus. When we live in this way, our actions speak louder than words and draw others closer to God.

IN A RELATIONSHIP

So how do we practically live out this love of Christ in our daily lives? Firstly, we must constantly remind ourselves of God’s love for us by meditating on His Word. The more we understand His love for us, the more we will be motivated to live for Him. We can also seek to cultivate a deep and intimate relationship with Him through prayer and fellowship with other believers.

DELIBERATELY CHRISTLIKE

Secondly, we must be intentional in our actions and attitudes towards others. This means showing kindness, compassion, and forgiveness, even when it may be difficult. We can also look for opportunities to serve and bless others, just as Christ did for us.

LIVE TO LOVE 

To recap, the limitless love of Christ should be the driving force in our lives. It urges us on to live a life that is pleasing to God and to love others as He loves us. It is a love that knows no boundaries and has the power to transform our lives and the lives of those around us. May we always be reminded of this love and allow it to guide us in all that we do.

Having been loved, love!

Having been forgiven, forgive.