We live in age of political correctness. In some arenas this is a good thing – we should strive to avoid hurting others with careless words. In other arenas its devastating. You should feel free to speak truth.

Today we look at the nuts and bolts of New Testament faith. Nothing original. Simply three confessions that have been repeated since the beginning of the New Testament church.

These confession must spoken … no matter what.

Initial Confession of the Church:

“Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” – Acts 2:36

This comes at the end of Peter’s sermon on the day of Pentecost. It is the confession that the man who was crucified on Calvary’s cross was not a zealot, trouble maker, or false prophet. No. He is Lord and Christ. He’s the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy and deserves our absolute devotion. This confession birthed the New Testament church. It started with a relatively small but passionate group. And the church grew and grew and grew. It swept the world.

This confession must not be taken lightly. It has eternal implications.

Essential Confession of the Christian:

“If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

The confession that “Jesus is Lord” provides the confessor with salvation.

When I pick up the newspaper I read it in a particular way. I take the main section and immediately flip to the editorials. I enjoy reading people’s opinions about politics, local events, pop culture, and more. I enjoy the letters to the editor in which the reader gets a chance to voice their opinion. I enjoy this but it’s interesting that usually the opinions offered are of no real consequences.   The topics discussed will be forgotten as new headlines emerge. Few will remember if someone was for or against a particular issue.

Yet, your opinion of Christ does matter. Your confession of “Jesus is Lord” has eternal consequences. By it your are saved. Saved from what? The consequences of your sin, your rebellion against the God who created you. 

This confession must not be taken lightly. This confession must also not be given lip service. If I confess “Jesus is Lord” the confession is only proven genuine when my life reflects Jesus as Lord. Otherwise its merely hypocrisy. The confession doesn’t require perfection, merely a life submitted to Jesus.

Eventual Confession of all Creation: (Philippians 2:5-11)

“Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father.” – Philippians 2:9-11

There will come a day when every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.

For those who have confessed Jesus as Lord this will be the ultimate act of worship as they join all of creation in praising God. For those who have not confessed Jesus as Lord this will be the ultimate act of regret as they join this worship realizing all they have missed.

For followers of Jesus Christ: This should drive us to be missionaries – passionate preacher’s of the gospel.  Passionate proclaimers that “Jesus is Lord.”