p. 243 | Confessing Christ

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Apr 22, 1886

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 12, No. 16.

Confessing Christ.

My brethren, we can never be placed in exactly Peter's situation. That particular incident could never occur but once. But Christ is still on trial before the world, and he needs the testimony of his friends. We may repudiate Christ by spoken words, but it often occurs that to be silent is to deny him. To defend one who is attacked is a proof of friendship, and to stand up for one in peril at a sacrifice to ourselves is a proof of love. Our love for Christ requires that we testify for him, and yet how often do our trembling lips act the part of the coward! When in our social meetings our tongues are silent, here we hear Jesus saying, "Lovest thou me?" When in the company of the ungodly we hear them speak lightly of that hallowed name, and deride his holy life and doctrine in wicked jest, and our lips are still, then does that voice ring again, "Lovest thou me?" Does a husband love a wife, who suffers imputations to be made upon her character and does not resent them? Does a child love its parents, who hears reflections cast upon them and does not deny them? Is not our Lord dearer to us than wife or parent? Child of God, stand up for Jesus! Spring to his defense when assailed. Declare with boldness and fervor his exalted character and wonderful love. Let other lips be still, but be thine eloquent in his praise. Confess him cheerfully before men, whom it will be thy great honor to have confess thee before his Father and the holy angels.

“Ashamed of Jesus! that dear friend! On whom my hopes of Heaven depend? No! when I blush, be this my shame, That I no more revere his name.”