Profession Is Not Confession

Think about what it means to confess something. In religious contexts, it typically means to confess a sin, but in its most generic usage, confession is not so narrow. The Greek word in the New Testament is homologeo, which means “to say the same thing, or to agree (with God).” Now consider what it means to profess, or simply claim to be true, that same thing. And keep in mind, God already knows everything about you, so, no matter what you profess, you can’t fool Him.

I think Christians are really good at professing, but maybe not so adept at confessing. People say a lot, but they really aren’t “saying” much because what they are professing isn’t the truth. It seems many professions made by Christians are thin veneers, deceptions.

It’s evidently easier to profess rather than confess because profession only requires a mouth whereas confession requires a mouth and a heartfelt conviction. Since God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7), vapid professions are only able to fool man, at best.

Don’t fool yourself and don’t hide behind unfounded profession because it’s easier. Profession without confession is fool’s gold. “Professing to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22).

God already knows the truth. It doesn’t matter what others think.

Ultimately, our goal is for our lives to align with the will of the Lord, not under compulsion as indentured slaves, but willingly, under the sovereignty of a Master who rules perfectly. If we miss this point in our lives we miss the very meaning of sanctification. If you dismiss this blog, for example, you’ve thwarted God’s good counsel.

But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.
As an undershepherd of Jesus Christ, I want us to be honest with ourselves. That’s all. It’s impossible to live a life of blessing if we live in a fantasy world. If we’re healthy in one area of our lives, let us confess it and be merry; however, if we’re unhealthy in another part of our lives, let us confess that, too. May we always avoid false profession of faith, first and foremost as it pertains to our salvation, of course.

Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you — unless indeed you fail the test?
Furthermore, as believers, we must confess before we profess. Critically speaking, false profession relegates true repentance dead, for it is impossible to repent from something we won’t admit is sinful. This is precisely why I love the infallible Word of God so much. It’s because whenever I have a question about my own life, I have the ability to consult God directly. Besides, I’m much more likely to openly confess to God than I am to any other person. In fact, the temptation is to profess one thing to others while confessing something different in the privacy of my own soul (I’m not saying I personally do this by default, but the temptation is always there).

But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
The continuous challenge for all of us is to accept what God reveals as true. That is the critical first step of becoming a “[doer] of the word” (ala James 1:22ff). To confess agreement with God requires you first understand what God thinks about the subject at hand. It’s only then that you are able to observe God’s law firsthand.

But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
God always makes good on His promises (Romans 8:28). We have a wonderfully simple one above - the person who confesses the truth, abiding in it as an “effectual doer,” is the one who is blessed. As a soldier for Christ (2 Timothy 2:3), how do you suppose ever being such an individual if you refuse your marching orders?

Do you not know that when you present yourselves [receive your marching orders!] to someone as slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? But thanks be to God that though you were slaves of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching to which you were committed, and having been freed from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
Practice professing only what you have already confessed to be true. Do not make the mistake of professing in the absence of true confession, even though the world may cheer you on, for that is nothing more than folly to God, the One alone who is able to bless you.

To put it simply, be honest with yourself. ’Tis the best place to start each day.

Love in Christ,

Ed Collins