While a pastor was conducting a Bible study in a communist nation, soldiers burst through the door with guns drawn ready to shoot anyone on sight. The officer pleased with the intimidation he and his men conveyed demanded the Bible from the pastor, his most prized possession. Reluctantly at gun point he surrendered the Bible. The officer threw the Bible to the floor and kicked at it like it was a piece of trash. With all seriousness in his voice, he gave everyone two choices…literally life or death. If you want to live, spit on the Bible and you are free to go. If you refuse, you will be executed. Without waiting for any volunteers the officer demanded a man to come forward. The aged man with both fear and grief in his heart, knelt down, spat on the Bible while confessing to God to forgive him, and left. A middle-aged woman was next. She barely could produce any spit, but her confession was plain and she left unharmed. But a sixteen year old girl rose up without being called, knelt down in front of the Bible and began to wipe the spit from it and held the Bible dearly. As the officer’s gun went off at the girl’s head, she immediately stepped into Paradise to be with her Lord Jesus forever.
Many a testimony of men and women, young and old and anywhere in between, and children made bold confessions to not deny Jesus Christ as their Lord nor to deny His word. Paul, in his letter to the Philippians, declared, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” (Philippians 1:21). For Paul, a decision was made a long time ago which side he chose to be on.
But how can a confession and a sacrificial/giving commitment be made when one doesn’t fully understand all the rules or where life may go? Paul’s confession to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 2:2) was his foundation, “For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” Peter made two similar confessions in John 6:68-69, “…Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. Also we have come to believe and know that You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” and Matthew 16:16, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” It continues in Matthew 16 with Jesus’ reply, “…and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (verse 18). It was only on the confession of Peter of who Jesus Christ is that the foundation or cornerstone was laid (not on Peter being the foundation, cornerstone, or that the Church will begin through the life of Peter). These confessions of these men determined these men’s’ lives and deaths.
And with that verse, one word stands out: determined (G2919). This word doesn’t only mean to conclude but it is a legal term at the time of sentencing to condemn, judge, sentence, and decree. These men, and others throughout time, determined God in their life. When Jesus Christ pointed His finger at the crowd with the challenge to deny themselves, take up of the cross, and “follow after Me”, these men and women had to make a determination, just like that 16 year-old girl.
So what does the Gospel mean? Who is Jesus to you and me? Have we truly determined our confession?