Confess = Homologeó
In the book of Luke (12:8), Jesus says, “And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man will confess him also before the angels of God; but he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God.”
The word "confess" here is the English translation of the Greek word homologeó (ὁμολογέω - Strong's # G3671). Homologeó is a combination of two important Greek words, "homou" (the same) and "logos". Logos is similar to "logic" (reason). Logos is the thoughts and expression of the mind of God or man, depending on the context. (Study Note: "Rhema" (Strong's G4487) is a similar Greek word which focuses more of an inspired word or utterance which expresses God's Logos (i.e. "commands" as in Matthew 4:4 and Luke 4:4; "Man shall not live by bread alone but by every Rhema of God shall man live."). So, "confessing" the Lord is much more than just simply repeating words. Confessing Christ is the exhibition (or manifestation) of being of one mind with the Lord in every aspect of our life as we strive with all our heart to DO God's commands with patient endurance.
This word "homologia" is also used by John several times in his epistles. Here is an example: "Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God," (1 John 4:2)
Again, this is very important. Many people don't understand this. But studying the greek words here can reveal to us this mystery. John is saying something very powerful there. He is saying that they who are ONE with God in thought, word and action, "confess Christ". And those who do so are, “of God”. The epistle of 1st John is one book. And in his book he says elsewhere, "Little children, let us not love with word (logos) or with language, but in deed (works) and truth. " 1 John 3:18. This connects directly with confessing that Jesus the Christ dwells within us.
Paul also testifies, "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved;" Again, "confess" here is "homologia". And Paul joins this "confession" with something very powerful and important. "faith' (pistis - Strong's 4102) in our heart (kardia). The powerful spiritual gift from God which enables us to receive grace (undeserved kindness) from Him and be saved.
This is just a little bit of a recent study I was enjoying and I have been meaning to share this here. It is important. there are many who actually believe that if someone simply "confesses" or says, "Jesus is Lord" that they are saved. Not even close. Anyone or any spirit can say that. But not anyone has true faith from God, and not everyone is of one logos (one mind, one spirit) with Him.
Highlight
There are two similar words translated from the Greek to English as "confess";
1. homologeó (ὁμολογέω): (from 3674 /homoú, "together" and 3004 /logōs, "a word, being the expression of a thought;") – properly, to voice the same conclusion, i.e. agree ("confess"); to profess (confess) because in full agreement; to align with (endorse). Means to speak the same thing, i.e. "assent, agree with, confess, declare, admit" (Vine, Unger, White, NT, 120).]
2. exomologeó (ἐξομολογέω): (from 1537 /ek, "wholly out from," intensifying 3670 /homologéō, "say the same thing about") – properly, fully agree and to acknowledge that agreement openly (whole-heartedly); hence, to confess ("openly declare"), without reservation (no holding back).
“And then I will declare (homologeó ) to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.”
"In that hour was Jesus rejoiced in the Spirit, and said, 'I do confess (exomologeó) to You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from wise and understanding men, and have revealed them to babes; yes, Father, because this pleased You." — Matthew 7:23 (NASB); Luke 10:21, Respectively
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God; this is the [spirit] of the antichrist, of which you have heard that it is coming, and now it is already in the world.” ~1 John 4:1-3
Revelation 12:11:
"And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb and because of the word of their testimony, and they did not love their life even when faced with death."
"Word" here in Rev 12:11 is the English translation of the Greek word, "logos". As stated above, Logos is so much more than just "word". The Lord says people can honor Him with their mouth (words) and yet their hearts are FAR from Him (Matthew 15:8). He said, why say to Me Lord, Lord and do not the things I say? (Luke 6:46)
Again John says not to love in just word (logos) and languages but to love in ACTIONS and in TRUTH (1 John 3:18). "Love" is agape (Strong's 26) and when it comes to scripture it usually means "preference". And that, preference is of God's will on our lives. Not our own desires and will of the fallen nature in the flesh. The LORD has always told us that LOVE is the most important virtue. All through both covenants. But even more so in the New Covenant. Because now we have HIM living within us and He expects great things from us because it will be Him doing it if we have faith and are obedient.
The good news is the gift of God, the holy Spirit through faith in Jesus the Christos. The POWER from on high. The power to (in time) put down and subdue the desires of the flesh. The flesh is THE true enemy of God. So He tells us HOW to defeat it and He gives us the power to do so!
And so we must be watching, fasting, praying and fighting with all our heart while always looking to the mercy of the LORD. Because it's only by His power, His Spirit that allows us to, CAUSES us to overcome (Ezekiel 36:27; 1 John 4:4).
"Abide" is the English translation of the Greek word "meno". "Meno" is a VERB. In other words, "abiding" is an ACTION. A tremendous action when it comes to God. Because The word of God is alive and ACTIVE (Heb 4:12). And if we are yoking up with Yeshua Ha-Mashiach, there will be action, WORKS in our lives. The word meno is a word which describes "enduring a hostile attack"! How much more is that than simply "abide" as we know it in the English?
As Revelation says that these overcame because of the blood of Jesus the Christ AND the LOGOS (Strong's 3056) of their MARTURIA (Strong's 3141). The witness, evidence, testimony, reputation. of being united to God in Ha-Masshiach and the witness, evidence, testimony, reputation of a godly life. This is the KEY to overcoming per Revelation 12:11!
Please see my last post too as it connects to this.
In the name/reputation of Jesus the Christ, I pray God give us all strength and power through His LOGOS made flesh. Let us all understand and experience this yoke, partnership, fellowship and marriage we are to have with the Almighty God in and through His Christos-Son. Amen!
Yours in Jesus the Christos, Tommy Richards
You can be saved!
God loves the people in the world so much that He came down to die for us. If God is opening your heart to His message and you feel convicted for your sins which have separated you from a holy God and you feel the need to be forgiven, then say this prayer. This is how I was powerfully converted to the Christ in 1997!
Say, "My Lord and my God, have mercy on me, a sinner. I believe Jesus the Christ died on the cross and shed His precious blood for the forgiveness of all my sins. I believe Jesus raised from the dead and ascended into heaven and is now on the right-hand side of God listening to this prayer. I open up the door of my heart and I invite You in, Lord Jesus. Thank you, God, for saving my soul and I vow to serve you with all my heart which is the first and greatest commandment. Amen."