SILENCE IS EXPENSIVE IN CHRISTIANITY!

 EVERYDAY IN THE WORD!

FRIDAY MAY 26, 2023.

SUBJECT: SILENCE IS EXPENSIVE IN CHRISTIANITY!

Memory verse: "Do not let me be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon You: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.” (Psalm 31 vs 17.)

READ: Romans 10 vs 8 - 10; Second Corinthians 4 vs 13:

Romans 10:8: But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith, which we preach):

10:9: that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.

10:10: For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Second Corinthians 4:13: And since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, "I believed and therefore I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak.

INTIMATION:

People say silence is golden, and it can certainly be so. But in Christendom it is certainly very expensive, and most times costs Christians the things they wanted from God. In Christianity confession is greatly required, in whatever form it is made; either confession of guilt or acknowledgement of faith.

Unfortunately, in our society the word "confession" has come to have mainly a negative, rather than a positive, meaning. Today we usually associate confession with guilt. People who have committed crimes "confess" them. And some denominations stress negative confession; confession of sins, faults, shortcomings, weaknesses, and failures. Even according to most dictionary definitions, confession carries with it the idea of guilt. 

The confession of admitting guilt or acknowledging our sins to God is also necessary for forgiveness of sin and restoration of fellowship with God. In First John 1 vs 9, the Bible says, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." The directive to do that is for us to get right with God and to continue our fellowship with Him.

However, the definition that should be emphasized, one which also is in the secular dictionary, is "the acknowledgment of a belief." Christians are followers of Christ, that means the acknowledgment of His saving power. The confession of our belief—our faith—is the confession of God's Word. Hearing God's Word, claiming it for your own, saying His promise is for you, and receiving the results of that promise are the orderly and direct steps along the pathway to God.

The Scripture in Hebrews 4 vs 14 - 16 says, "Seeing then that we have a great High Priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a High Priest  who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Prayer is our approach to God, and we are to come boldly. God's mercy to us when we come is assured, provided we hold fast to our confession of faith and believe in Him. 

We get what we say because God honors His Word, and His Word says in Mark 11 vs 23,  ‘....whoever says.....and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.’ That is an awesome promise from God. But most people keep missing it because they are not holding fast to their confession. In the morning they will pray and believe God for divine healing, and in the afternoon, they are already confessing that they are sick. Instead of thanking God for answered prayer in faith, they are not sure yet. How then can they receive when their confession is double and in opposite direction.

The Scripture says, "Can two walk together, except they are agreed?" (Amos 3 vs 3).

When you can't hold fast to your confession, you are not agreeing with God, and it is difficult to walk together with Him. A double minded person is a doubter, unstable in all his ways (James 1 vs 8). And the Bible says that "He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord." (James 1 vs 6 - 7.) 

What you confess you possess. If it is a negative confession, the results will be negative. If it is a positive confession, the result will be Godward. Many people spoil their confession by wavering between the positive "Yes" and faltering "No" to the Word of God. When your heart gives a positive "Yes" to the Word, positive results will begin to occur in your life.

T. L. Osborn, the world renowned missionary and evangelist once said that the Bible truth of the effect of the positive confession of the Word of God was the great springboard to his whole ministry around the world. He said knowing what you do about the confession of the Word of God makes you a man richly blessed by God.

Fortunately for us, however, God does not wait until we have gone through all those steps, as if we were working for some kind of permit, license, or diploma. At our very first turning toward Him—our Heavenly Father, He stretches out His hand and draws us steadfastly along the way. While we are still in the babyhood of faith, He is urging us toward the positive confession of His place in every area of our lives. He will never draw away from us. If we falter or waver, however, He gives us back the choice, and we may lose ground in our spiritual progress.

Engage therefore, the power in spoken words, and keep on confessing positively, "For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Matthew 12 vs 37.) I encourage you today start confessing positively, and make the Word of God your bedrock for living; confess the Word and hold fast to your confession, and your life will begin to experience strange blessings of God.

Prayer: Abba Father, forever Your Word is settled in heaven. O Lord, give me the grace to speak Your Word in faith at all times because I believe, and I will receive my confession because I have no doubt in my heart that You will do what You says You will do, in Jesus’ Name I have prayed, Amen.

PRAISE THE LORD!