“And I tell you, everyone who acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man also will acknowledge before the angels of God, but the one who denies me before men will be denied before the angels of God. Luke 12:8-9 [ESV]
Continuing my reading of Luke’s account of this discussion with Jesus and His disciples has me both comforted and fearful at the same time. Comforted that when I stand at the judgement seat and stand in account for my life here on earth, I can rest assured if I have held the name of Christ up to those who are around me.
This week I was talking to one of my employees about several days they had taken off of be with their dad who had a stroke and was in intensive care. They talked about moments during their support of their dad where they had rested their hope in God. It was so great to be able to use this open door to tell them that I was praying for them and asking God to comfort them and give them peace through everything they were needing to manage.
At the same time, Jesus is saying that when we deny Him before men, we will be denied by Him before the angels of God…yikes. So what exactly does this look like? I think it is when we may deny the unique authority of His teaching, that on some points, we know better than He did, or that much of what Jesus said can be explained away. We may also deny his divinity and argue his claims. In either case it is the sin of pride and self-assurance, man’s ultimate denial of the supremacy of Christ and of God.
Application:
My confidence rests in eternity with my Lord and Savior. I have no one to fear here and so why would I not take every opportunity, when presented, to share the knowledge of Jesus and what He came to this earth to do for ever person who would believe.