Confess Jesus Christ as Lord

It seems so simple. We think it is understood. We call ourselves Christians and we wear Christian jewelry. Yet, when was the last time we spoke the words ‘out loud’ that we confess Jesus Christ as Lord? Think about it.

Brethren, have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which 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 confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2.5-11

Today’s reading from Saint Paul is clear and bold. He even reminds us to be united in our minds about it. God became a human being as Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God, One of the Holy Trinity. He did all this so that “every knee should bow.”

Instead of bowing in our hearts, let alone physically, we go about our day thinking our job will save us. We think staying busy at work will keep our family safe. We think enrolling our children in dozens of sports and other extracurricular activities will get them ready for life. We are wrong.

Yes, we need a job to put food on our table and a roof over our heads, but a job will not save us. Yes, our children need to remain active and shouldn’t exclude themselves from society, but being star athletes won’t save them. It won’t even guarantee them a job. We are so wrong.

Today is the First of the Great Feasts of the year. The Nativity of the Theotokos celebrates the birth of the birth giver. She didn’t just give birth to any normal human baby. She gave birth to God in the flesh. Honoring this truth is what will save us. Confessing Jesus as Lord will save us.

The best way to confess Jesus is with our life, and I’m not suggesting street preaching. When people see our life, our standards, our morals, our ethics, if we believe Jesus Christ is Lord, our life will reflect His standards, His morals, His ethics. People will take notice.

This is how the ancient Church spread the Gospel. The daily life, standards, morals and ethics of ancient Christians were counterculture to the pagan empire. Strangers would comment about the lifestyle of “the Christians” in a way that drew others into the Church.

Then, when asked ‘why’ their life was so different, they confessed their faith in Jesus Christ. When was the last time we confessed Jesus Christ as a reason our life is how it is? Most of the time we would be embarrassed to give Jesus credit for our choices. Maybe that’s a problem.

Here’s your challenge for today. If someone were to ask you ‘why’ you were doing what you were doing, would you say it was because you believe in Jesus Christ as Lord? If not, then maybe you should reconsider what you’re doing.

Believing and confessing are not the same. The devil believes but will never confess. Keeping your faith to yourself isn’t what Christ wants. The saints never hid their faith. They didn’t always preach it publicly, but they never hid their faith.

They always confessed Jesus when asked. That’s all God asks of us. When we are asked, will we confess Jesus Christ as Lord, or will we care more about our job or social status, and remain silent? There really is only one correct answer. It’s time to confess Jesus Christ as Lord.