1 John 1:9 English Standard Version (ESV) If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

We understand that if we confess our sins, we are admitting to the truth about what we have done. If we confess Christ then in the same manner we are admitting the truth to what He has done.

Now there are two issues here involved around this confession. Why are we confessing to something we have not done and exactly what has He done?

The first issue that lies at the core of confessing Christ is an earnest desire to be saved. It cannot be a decision based on covering all your bases. Just in case there is a heaven and a hell while wanting to cover the spread is a losers bet. There is no faith in that decision, only doubt. First we need to want it because we understand our own depravity and secondly we have to believe there is an afterlife. You cannot hedge the bet. There is no sincerity in a confession based on faithless assertions.

The second issue is a little more complicated because of the enormity of the deeds and words of Christ. Which ones must be confessed to be true to be saved? Which ones affect salvation and which ones only affect current conditions such as love, joy, peace and relationship? That is a fair and pertinent question.

The simple answer is there is a difference between eternal salvation and daily salvation. Since this began with the concerns of the dying, let us address the eternal salvation requirements.

John 8:42 English Standard Version (ESV) Jesus said to them, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and I am here. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.”

Now you have to deal with this truth. Which God sent Jesus Christ?

Romans 10:9 King James Version (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

Just yesterday I heard a grieving mother say that she hopes her recently deceased daughter is with her grandmother and that she will get to see them someday. It was not the right time to say to her, “I never heard either one confess Christ.”

Why do people want to be comforted in times of grief by thoughts of heaven when they know nothing about what it takes to be saved? Waiting until our loved one are dead is too late for them to find eternal security. Later after a respectful mourning period, I will try and talk to her. Right now is too painful for her. Maybe it is too painful for me.

After my first wife died I divorced myself from her side of the family. Her brother did not attend the funeral. Now his daughter is dead and I feel bad that I did not reach out when it might have done some good. It is too late for the grandmother and daughter that never confessed Christ. What of the living?

Do we have people in our lives that do not understand what it means to confess Christ? Do we have a proper understanding? When I ask people I often get the reply “Yes, I believe in Jesus.” Is that the same thing as believing ON our Lord Jesus Christ?

If that confuses you, it was meant to make you think about what you believe and to be absolutely sure about what it takes to gain eternal salvation in Christ.

A review of the requirements seems appropriate at this time.

I pray you will be here tomorrow. Tomorrow is not promised to us.