December 11, 2004

THE GOOD CONFESSOR

"In the presence of God who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus who in His testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you to keep the commandment unstained" (Timothy 6:13, 14, RSV).

Paul cites the example of Christ before Pontius Pilate as a model in faithful and courageous witnessing. He refers to His witness as a "Good confession."

A confession is a statement of acknowledgment of one's faith and belief. To the apostle Paul, Christ is the perfect model of a good confessor who made a good confession of His faith. This He did firmly, faithfully, courageously, and tactfully under the severest pressure before Pilate. As the good confessor, Christ gave a powerful witness to the reality of the kingdom of God. In response to Pilate's grueling interrogation, He calmly, yet emphatically, confessed, "I am a King" (see John 18:37). He said, "My kingdom is not of this world" (John 18:36, NKJV).

Though betrayed, wrongly accused, mocked, and abused, Christ remained undaunted on the witness stand. Through patience and extraordinary self-control, He vindicated the rightness of His cause and the truthfulness of His divine sovereignty. He stood without equal as a noble confessor who gave a good confession of His faith. Loyal followers of Christ must never flinch under pressure when called upon to give a good confession of the gospel. "If the Christian life and character were always a faithful representation of Jesus... the good work of grace wrought in the heart would flow out in the life, and would reflect a clear, steady, precious light upon the pathway of others. Such a confession of faith to the world would be a most powerful sermon in favor of Christianity."--Review and Herald, October 28, 1884.

My Prayer Today: Lord, make me a faithful witness of Your saving grace. Empower me Lord, that I may be like the "Good Confessor." Amen.