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  EXPOSITORY THOUGHTS ON LUKE - LUKE 12:8-12
  by J.C. Ryle
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CONTENT
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We are taught, firstly, in these verses, that we must confess Christ
upon earth, if we expect Him to own us as His saved people at the last
day. We must not be ashamed to let all men see that we believe in
Christ, and serve Christ, and love Christ, and care more for the praise
of Christ than for the praise of man.

The duty of confessing Christ is incumbent on all Christians in every
age of the Church. Let us never forget that. It is not for martyrs only,
but for all believers, in every rank of life. It is not for great
occasions only, but for our daily walk through an evil world. The rich
man among the rich, the laborer among laborers, the young among the
young, the servant among servants--each and all must be prepared, if
they are true Christians, to confess their Master. It needs no blowing a
trumpet. It requires no noisy boasting. It needs nothing more than using
the daily opportunity. But one thing is certain--if a man loves Jesus,
he ought not to be ashamed to let people know it.

The difficulty of confessing Christ is undoubtedly very great. It never
was easy at any period. It never will be easy as long as the world
stands. It is sure to entail on us laughter, ridicule, contempt,
mockery, enmity, and persecution. The wicked dislike to see any one
better than themselves. The world which hated Christ will always hate
true Christians. But whether we like it or not, whether it be hard or
easy, our course is perfectly clear. In one way or another Christ must
be confessed.

The grand motive to stir us up to bold confession is forcibly brought
before us in the words which we are now considering. Our Lord declares,
that if we do not confess Him before men, He will "not confess us before
the angels of God" at the last day. He will refuse to acknowledge us as
His people. He will disown us as cowards, faithless, and deserters. He
will not plead for us. He will not be our Advocate. He will not deliver
us from the wrath to come. He will leave us to reap the consequences of
our cowardice, and to stand before the bar of God helpless, defenseless,
and unforgiven.

What a dreadful prospect is this! How much turns on this one hinge of
"confessing Christ before men!" Surely we ought not to hesitate for a
moment. To doubt between two such alternatives is the height of folly.
For us to deny Christ or be ashamed of His Gospel, may get us a little
of man\

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/jc-ryle/expository-thoughts-on-luke-luke-128-12/
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