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

  • Romans 10:9-13
  • 1 Corinthians 12:3
  • Philippians 2:5-11

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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
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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."

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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.

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