YOU MIGHT AS WELL CONFESS

I hate to admit it but I really like "cops & robbers" shows on television such as Law and Order, CSI, Criminal Minds, and my favorite, NCIS. Apparently they are very popular with others as well, because there are now several spin-offs. I suppose the attraction has a lot to do with good writing, good acting, and the fact that the good guys eventually win. Regardless of whether or not a person is a Christian, viewers want evil to get what's coming to it. We want justice to prevail. In watching these shows for years, I have noticed that the District Attorney always wants the conviction handed to him or her on a silver platter. Yes, means, motive, and opportunity to commit the crime are still important, but a confession seals the case. "You have got to get him to confess!" So the detectives tell the suspect that they have enough evidence to put him away for the rest of his life, but that if he confesses, the judge may be lenient. They say, "You might as well confess and make it easier on yourself."

Christians are also called upon to confess. A Christian must confess his or her sins to God in prayer in order to regain a good standing with God (1 John 1:9). There is also evidence that confession of one's sins to the elders has something to do with whether or not a sick person is healed (James 5:14-16). So, if a Christian wants to be healed, or if he wants to regain a right standing with the Lord, he is required to confess his sins. He "might as well confess," if he ever wants to walk in the Spirit again.

While confessing to criminal activity or to sins is something both Christians and non-believers have in common, there is another type of confession that provides a much greater benefit to an individual. In order for a person to be saved from the consequences of their sins, they need to have God's forgiveness. Simply confessing to being a sinner does not change anything. It just means I agree with God that I am lost. No, in order to have my sins removed by the blood of Jesus, I need to make another kind of confession. I need to confess that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 4:15). I need to confess that Jesus has come in the flesh (1 John 4:2). I need to confess that I believe that Jesus is Lord (Matthew 10:32; Luke 12:8; John 9:22; 12:42). Romans 10:9-10 tells us that if we confess with our mouth that Jesus is Lord, we will be saved. Obviously we have to really believe and allow Him to be what we confess Him to be: our Lord. Simply saying it does nothing to alter one's lost condition (Matthew 7:21-22; 25:11; Luke 6:46).

The Word of God makes it quite clear that every person that has ever lived will, one day, confess that Jesus is the Son of God and worthy to be called Lord. Philippians 2:9-11 says that every knee should bow and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Trust me, if God says something should be done, He will see to it that it is done! So the only question is, are you willing to surrender to the Lordship of Jesus Christ and confess Him now, or is God going to have to make you do it at the judgment? It is going to happen. So you might as well confess now while it will improve your life and assure you of an afterlife. When you believe, make sure you tell somebody. It matters.