HOLD FAST TO YOUR CONFESSION
Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. - Hebrews 4:14
There is a difference between someone being an amateur and a professional. An amateur may play golf on the weekends, but a professional can make a living at it. He will even pay a coach to criticize him because he wants to win. He's a professional. You would never trust a heart surgeon to operate on you if he drove up pulling a trailer with lawn mowing equipment. What if he said, "Yes, I do open heart surgeries, but I supplement my income by mowing lawns." You would definitely look for a more successful surgeon.
A true Christian doesn't just practice faith on the weekends, but it is what he lives by every day. It is his profession. In the Greek, the word for
profession and confession is the same word, “homologia.”
It means “to say the same thing; to agree with; and
acknowledgment or profession.” It is more than just speaking but it is a lifestyle, which affects every facet of life.
Your confession is your profession.
When I went to high school, our football team was undefeated. At times, the coach would make the running back carry the ball all week in school so he could practice holding on to it. In the game, he might run the ball to the end zone, but he couldn’t relax his grip until he crossed the goal line. He must be very conscious of the ball when he's facing the giants on the opposing team because he must have the ball in his hands in order to score. You and I must realize the devil will do anything to make you fumble or to slap your confession out of you, but Hebrews 4:14 commands us to
hold fast to it. The Message Bible says,
Let's not let it slip through our fingers. 1 Timothy 6:12 says
, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.” Your confession is that Jesus is Lord and that is the key to winning a faith fight. It notifies the devil that you are off limits, the property of God.
THE GREAT CONFESSION: JESUS IS LORD!
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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. - Romans 10:9, 10
One of the most fundamental things in your Christian faith is the
initial and
continual confession that Jesus Christ is Lord. He is Supreme Authority. The overriding emphasis is that He is Victor! When you say, Jesus is Lord, you are saying more than you comprehend.
I like to say it this way:
When Jesus was raised from the dead, He stepped from the tomb as absolute master of death in all of its phases; hell and all of its hosts; of Satan and all of his works; of sin and all of its consequences. He was the first of a redeemed, restored, victorious humanity that would follow. He is the Firstborn from the dead; the first Man to enter the death experience and master it. Jesus is Lord.
Wherefore, holy brethren, partakers of the heavenly calling, consider the Apostle and High Priest of our profession, Christ Jesus. - Hebrews 3:1
As your High Priest, Jesus has triumphed over all things. The moment you confess faith in Him, the enemy cannot lord anything over you. Hold fast to your confession because it will defeat the devil and bring victory. He watches His Word to perform it.
A CONTINUAL AND PUBLIC CONFESSION
By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. - Hebrews 13:15
The word “thanks” here is the same Greek word meaning to confess and acknowledge.
Your faith lives and flourishes as your mouth is continually filled with praise. That praise is private but must be public, also. In fact, Jesus said,
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven,” (Matthew 10:32). Every time you speak of the Lordship of Christ to another person, Jesus will confess you before the Father. Your confession on the earth moves Heaven and brings the power and conviction of the Holy Spirit to where you are.
Hebrews 10:23 says,
“So let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for He is faithful that promised).” The Message Bible says,
“Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching,” (Hebrews 10:23-25). Jesus is coming soon, so hold fast to your profession, not just on the weekend or at church, but continually! Jesus is Victor!
FOUR AREAS A CHRISTIAN SHOULD MAKE A DAILY CONFESSION ABOUT:
- What God has done for us in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ.
- Who we are now in Christ.
- What Jesus is doing now for us in Heaven.
- What God by the Word and the Holy Spirit can do in us now.
This month we would like to offer you our book,
The Great Confession. We also have several messages that will stir your faith. You can listen to all of these messages for free on our MHM App.
Trina and I thank you for your partnership with us in World Missions. We invite you to start your year off with us at our Spirit of Faith Conference in Alexandria, LA, January 6-10, 2025. These meetings are always so powerful and life changing. Thank you for your prayers and your partnership with us! May God richly bless you!
In Christ,
Mark and Trina Hankins
