Jesus is recorded as saying in Matthew’s gospel 10:32, “Everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven”. In this context he was speaking of those who would be brought before the authorities for their faith in Jesus as the Son of God and charged with doing evil.

The Greek word which is twice translated “confess” is a compound word made up of the two words ‘homo’ (meaning “the same”) and ‘logos’ (meaning “word”), literally meaning, “same-word”.

It appears that Jesus is teaching us that we confess him when we say “the same word” he does. This would also hold true for the teachings of Jesus as they were given to us by his apostles. They were inspired to speak and write by the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus for that express purpose according to John14:16-17, 25-26, 16:7-11 & 12-15. 

This is vitally important because Jesus’ teachings are constantly being contradicted in this world.

Jesus taught us that there is only one church of which he is the founder according to Matthew 16:13-18 and several other passages. The world offers many churches, presenting a plethora of religious views from which to choose. We confess him when we offer the same word of unity on the subject as he does even though the world may charge us with being narrow or arrogant.

Jesus taught male leadership within the church. Of all of the things that changed in going from the Mosaic covenant to Jesus’ covenant; male leadership was not one of them. We confess Jesus when we stick with his plan and only his plan, even though the world may charge us with discrimination.

Jesus taught us to live holy lives, free from the immorality of the world according to Revelation 2:14 & 20. The world clamors for sexual freedom. Couples live together rejecting marriage while others embrace the practice of homosexuality as worthy of marriage. We boldly confess Jesus when we remain faithful to what he and his apostles teach us in these hotly debated matters.

To be consistent, we must also understand that we deny Jesus when we teach something different than what he teaches. It is as he said in another place, “He who is not with Me is against Me; and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matthew 12:30).

Say it then, as Jesus says it, whatever it may be.