The Power of WordsSample

Declare / Believe / Be Saved

My wife Jennifer and I love watching British crime shows. Inevitably, there is a scene in a police interview room where the accused is forced to confess to the crime. It is not enough for them to just nod their head in assent; they must “speak out loud for the tape.”

Recently, I officiated at a wedding. When I asked the couple if they would take their spouse “for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health,” they needed to answer with “I do.” They needed to say it out loud. It wouldn’t have been enough for them to give me a nod, a wink, or a thumbs up. They needed to vocalize what was in their hearts.

Maybe you are familiar with the scene on The Office where Michael Scott declares bankruptcy. Something unique happens when we say out loud what we are thinking in our hearts. That was why Paul wrote in today’s verse that we need to believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, but we also need to declare with our mouths that Jesus is Lord.

Have you done that? Can you do that?

If you haven’t confessed that Jesus is the Lord of your life, is there a reason why?

Maybe you are ashamed or afraid; you think it might negatively affect your reputation. Maybe you don’t think it is necessary.

Brothers, we who are disciples of Jesus must be vocal about our faith in Him. We must declare aloud what is already true in our hearts.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the price You paid for my freedom. I believe in my heart that You are who You said You are. I believe that You have risen from the dead, that You have conquered death and Satan, and that You are alive now. I will declare this with my mouth. Help me to be bold and public in my commitment to You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Reflection: Have you given your life to Jesus? Have you told anyone? Who might you tell today?