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confessing Christ




"...if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."  (Romans 10:9 ESV)


"Through him then let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that acknowledge his name."  (Hebrews 13:15 ESV) 


Dutch theologian Herman Bavinck wrote in a lyrical prose that always tempts me to arrange it poetically.  So, here's my framing of his words about the believer's confession of Christ... 

As surely as we are sincere believers,
     we confess this faith throughout our whole life, 
for faith cannot do otherwise: 
     it must confess.  
It does not ask whether good works must be done; 
     but before the question can even arise, 
     it has already done them.  
Confession with mouth and heart, 
     word and deed, 
     in conduct and behavior 
     is inseparable from the faith of the heart.  
It is the fruit of the tree, 
     the scent of the flower, 
     the light of the sun, 
     the sweetness of the honey.  
It is impossible that anyone grafted into Christ by a true faith should not bring forth fruits of thankfulness.  
Whoever believes confesses, 
     not only on Sunday but also during the week, 
     not only in the church but also at home and school, 
          in the shop and factory, 
          in the office and store, 
          in civil and societal life, 
          in science and art, 
     among friends and enemies, 
     before angels and people.  

~ Herman Bavinck, Sacrifice of Praise, p. 36. 

Photo above is of a maple in my backyard. 


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thetimeofyourlife24x7.com said…
The poetry is very nice. I always enjoy reading your own words. I hope you will consider reframing what impresses you in your own words.
November 8, 2019 at 11:53 PM
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