What Jesus Did! 'Confessing Christ!' — Luke 12:8-9

Saturday, August 12, 2023

[Jesus continued,] "I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God's angels. But anyone who denies me here on earth will be denied before God's angels."
— Luke 12:8-9 NLT

Key Thought

Confessing Christ is crucial! Confessing Christ can be costly in human terms. Christians in generations before us were sometimes put to death for saying, "Jesus Christ is Lord" rather than calling some other ruler "Lord." Still today, many Christians are suffering terrible things and even dying for their faith. However, the significance of our confessing Christ is revealed most clearly by Jesus' own words. He promised that he would claim us - "acknowledge" us as his - before the angels and before the Father [1] if we "acknowledge" him now while we are here on earth!

[1] Matthew 10:32-33.

Today's Prayer

O Lord, my Father in heaven, you are holy. I know that, just as I have acknowledged Christ as my Lord and called on his name in baptism, he will acknowledge me before you and the holy angels and will call my name as your child on the day he returns. Holy God, I gladly confess that Jesus Christ, your Son, is my Savior and my Lord. It is in his precious name that I am saved and that I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

6 Related Resources by Heartlight

Luke 12:8
Devo: Today's Verse
"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God."
Before the Angels
Illustration of Luke 12:8
Inspirational illustration of Luke 12:8 -- I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.
What You Should Say
Devo: God's Holy Fire
"[Jesus said,] "I tell you, whoever publicly acknowledges me before others, the Son of Man will also acknowledge before the angels of God. ... When you are..."
A Forgotten, but Necessary, Grace of Jesus
Article by Phil Ware
Should we be surprised that so many call themselves Christians but never live for Jesus? Phil Ware shares a passion on his heart about the way we have privatized and personalize conversion and salvation that eliminates the necessary grace of Jesus' community, family, and spiritual community.
See All 6 Related Resources about Luke 12:8-9

Illustration

Illustration of Luke 12:8-9 NLT — "I tell you the truth, everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, the Son of Man will also acknowledge in the presence of God's angels."

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Saturday, August 12, 2023

Praying with Paul
Features the apostle Paul's writings turned into daily, powerful prayers.
'Rock of My Salvation' (Ro. 9:25-33)
"Dear Father, ruler of the ages, You have called we who were "not your people" to be "your people," we who were "not your beloved" to be "your..."
Spiritual Warfare
A daily devotional about God's power for our battles.
'Tithing Is a Weapon Against The Enemy'
""You have robbed me in your offerings and the tenth of your crops. So a curse is on you, because the whole nation has robbed me. Bring to the..."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'Devoted to Genuine Fellowship' (Acts 2:42-46)
"All the believers devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching, and to fellowship, and to sharing in meals (including the Lord's Supper), and to..."
A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
'Don't Let These Truths Elude You!'
"Dear Follower, I love to tell stories from everyday life and connect them to heavenly truths. There is a reason for that. You can remember stories..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!