March 26, 2025 Morning Devotional

Morning Devotion: Read Luke - The Witness for Christ Before Men

Luke 12:8  Also I say unto you, Whosoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: 9  But he that denieth me before men shall be denied before the angels of God. 10  And whosoever shall speak a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but unto him that blasphemeth against the Holy Ghost it shall not be forgiven. 11  And when they bring you unto the synagogues, and unto magistrates, and powers, take ye no thought how or what thing ye shall answer, or what ye shall say: 12  For the Holy Ghost shall teach you in the same hour what ye ought to say.

Today, as we close this portion of scripture we need to see the what it means to acknowledge Christ before others.

The Pharisees accused Jesus of operating in the power of beelzebub in unbelief, and were rebuked by the Lord for doing such. The Lord used very hard language in letting them know they were in danger of hellfire and remained without forgiveness for doing so.

In verses 8 and 9 and 11 and 12 we find a strong encouragement to confess Christ before men regardless of the circumstances.

Notice, the Lord did not say if they bring you before men rather, when they bring you before men.

The disciples were going to be brought before men; they were all brought before men in synagogues and before magistrates and powers. They all had to give account of their relationship with Christ Jesus and were often told not to speak in Jesus’ name.

Acts 5:28  Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man's blood upon us.

Acts 5:40  … and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. 41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

We are encouraged by the Lord to speak the name of Jesus who dwells within the heart of every born-again believer.

1Peter 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

The word sanctify in 1 Peter 3:25 means to set apart. Set the Lord Jesus apart from all things and make Him the priority, give Him first place in your heart, for there is nothing that compares to Jesus. When that happens, you will never have difficulty letting men know His name regardless of the circumstances.

It is easy to talk about Jesus at church. When out and about in the world and in daily activities, where the Lord Jesus is not so much known or appreciated, do we talk about Him?

Today, when out and about, take the time to tell someone about Jesus. Maybe take some gospel tracts with you and hand some out. People need to know.

Do you know Jesus? Is Jesus in your heart? Are you ready and willing to give an answer to every man of the hope that is within you?

The choice is still yours,

Pastor Cook