Why One Must Confess to Know Who Jesus Is (Part 2)

Matthew 16:16-17

Vine’s Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words defines confess in one sense as to “declare openly by way of speaking out freely, such confession being the effect of deep conviction of facts.” When we become convicted of our sinful ways, we should repent, seek forgiveness, and openly and freely acknowledge the truth of who Jesus is.  

Jesus says “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him I will confess also before My Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32). After Peter’s confession that Jesus was the Christ the Son of the living God” (v.16), Jesus  responded, calling Peter, Simon son of Jonah, and told him that he was blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal who He was to him, but His Father who is in heaven (v. 17). It wasn’t flesh and blood, who is literally man that gave Peter this revelation. The Father stirred his heart to accept and acknowledge who Jesus was, and the Holy Spirit witnessed. Apostle Paul declared that “flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God. We will be changed from mortal to immortal” (1 Corinthians 1:50-52).  

We are warned not to fear man, denying Christ before him. The consequence of our denial of him in the earth will result in his denial of us before our Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:33). The choice is ours. We can live a life that reflects being “blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ” (Ephesians 1:3), or we can choose instead to live an unhappy, unblessed, and unfavored life. No blessing can one bestow on us that is greater than that of Jesus! Confess to know him as your Savior today, and be spiritually blessed.