初信造就 › 第四篇　口里承认

第四篇　口里承认

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　　读经：
　　罗十10：“因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。”
　　箴二九25：“惧怕人的，陷入网罗；唯有倚靠耶和华的，必得安稳。”
　　太十32~33：“凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必认他。凡在人面前不认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必不认他。”
　
　　人信了主，不应当隐藏，人信了主，必须口里承认主。口里承认主，是非常紧要的一件事。
　
　　一个人一信主，就应当在人面前承认主。如果有人生了一个小孩子，一岁两岁都不会说话，三岁的时候还不会说话，那我们要怎么想？难道这是发音特别慢？要到了三十岁才会讲一二三四，到了五十岁才会喊爸爸妈妈？小的时候是哑巴，恐伯一辈子都是哑巴。小的时候不会喊爸爸妈妈，恐伯一辈子都不会喊。照样，如果初信的人不在信主之后立刻承认主，恐怕要终身成为哑巴。小的时候不会说话，可能长大的时候也不会说话。
　　有的人作了十年、二十年的基督徒还是哑巴，因为第一个礼拜、第二个礼拜是哑巴，就是这样哑巴到老了。承认主是在初信的时候就开始的。一信主就开始，以后承认的路就打通了。如果一个人在头几个礼拜、头几个月、头一年是哑巴，他可能会哑巴一辈子。所以人一信主，就得尽力的去向人说到主。即使觉得不容易说，不欢喜在人面前说，也得说。总得在你亲戚朋友面前说。如果不学习公开的说，恐伯要一辈子在神面前成为一个哑巴。我们不盼望有哑巴的信徒，所以，我们必须在一起头的时候，就学习开口。在起头如果不行，后来就难得有行的，除非神有特别的怜悯，有复兴，他才会开口，可是那一个相当费事。所以初信的人总要寻找机会承认主。这一个承认是大事。这一个承认对于他大有益处。
　
　　罗十10：“因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。”人如果心里相信，就可以称义，这是在神面前的事。口里承认，就可以得救，这是讲到在人面前的得救的问题。你信也罢，你不信也罢，这是在神面前的事，谁也看不见。你如果真的信，你在神面前就能够称义。可是，你心里信了，口里不说，人就不承认你是一个得救的人，人还把你算作不信的人，他们没有看见你和他们有什么分别。所以在圣经中很着重的对我们说，心里相信还不壳，还必须口里承认，必须用口说出来。
　　所以，初信的人总得寻找机会承认主。你必须在接触到的人中间，不管是同学也好，是同事也好，是亲戚也好，是朋友也好，总是一有机会，就对他们说，“我信了主耶稣。”越快开口越好。你一开口，他们马上清楚知道你是信耶稣了。这样你就得救，你就从不信的中间得救出来了。
　　我们曾看见有的人信主，起初是犹豫不决的，但是等到他站起来说“我信了耶稣，”就决定了。基督徒就怕不说，他如果一说出来，这一步一踏上去，就定了。许多人信主，起初的时候，也许还在那里摇幌不定，那知一说“我信”就牢靠了。
　
　　你心里相信，口里承认之后，就会得到很大的益处。这一个能使你省去将来许许多多的麻烦。
　　你如果不开口说，“我已经跟从了主耶稣，我已经是属乎主的人；”无论如何，别人看你是和他们一样的人，结果，他们一有犯罪的事，一有情欲的事，就要把你算作他们中间的一分子。虽然你心里觉得你是一个基督徒，不好和他们混在一起，但是你又不能拒绝他们，你要讨他们的喜欢。你想出一个理由来拒绝，也许给你拒绝了。下一次，他们还是来拉你，你又得想出一个理由来推辞。你一次两次用理由、想法子拒绝，但是事情总不能过去。倒不如头一天就把牌子挂出去，承认你是信主的人。只要你一两次的承认，别人就不大会来勉强你。
　　如果不开口承认，如果暗暗地在那里作基督徒，那一个难处，比明显的作基督徒不知道要加多少倍；那一个试探，比明显的作基督徒也不知道要加多少倍。人情的捆绑，已往关系的捆绑，你没有法子脱离。你不能每一次都推说头痛，都推说事忙，你不能次次用理由去推。所以，你第一天就得宣布说，“我已经相信了主耶稣，我已经接受了主耶稣。”你这个牌子一挂出去，你的同事、你的同学、你的亲戚、你的家属，都知道你这一个人是这样的，你就省去了许多麻头。如果不是这样，就这些麻烦不知道要有多少。所以，一个人如果能开口承认我们的主，这一个人就能够省去许多麻烦。
　
　　人如果不开口承认主，还有一个很大的困难。这一个困难，是当主在地上的时候，许多相信主的人所经历过的。
　　主耶稣在犹太人中是被拒绝的。犹太人拒绝主耶稣，拒绝得顶厉害；反对主耶稣，也反对得顶厉害。在约翰九章，我们看见犹太人定规了一件事，就是谁承认耶稣是弥赛亚，就把谁赶出会堂（22）。到了第十二章，圣经又记载说，有许多犹太官长，偷偷的相信了主耶稣，只因怕人把他们赶出会堂，就不敢承认（42）。我们想，这几个人心里舒服不舒服？承认主也许不舒服，但如果不承认主，要更不舒服。犹太人的会堂是什么地方？是反对主耶稣的地方。他们在那里有阴谋，有诡计，商量挖陷阱来陷害主。他们都是在那里预备这些不正当地事。－约翰一个真正信主耶稣的人，坐在那里怎么办？他要有多大的力量才能管住他自己不开口？这个时候，他要开口承认主是有点难，但是他要不开口承认主，他就觉得更难。
　　犹太人会堂的情形，就是代表世人反对主的情形。人对于主耶稣，总是在那里为难，总是在那里觉得说，这一个拿撒勒人耶稣，是他们的难处，他们有各种各样的话，在那里反对我们的主。在这一种情形之下，你能在那里听他们，而在外面装着说，你是和他们一样的人？装假是痛苦的，装假是壳难的，你要用力量管住你自己，勉强你自己。你在这样的情形之下，难道没有一点意思要说，“这一个人是神的儿子，我要信祂；”难道你没有一点意思要说，“这一个人是我的救主，我已经相信了；”难道你没有一点意思要说，“这一个人能救我脱离罪恶，你们不相信，我要相信；”难道你没有一点意思要说这样的话么？
　　请问，难道你能因着要得人间的尊敬，要得人间的地位，就在那里勉强的把你自己的口封住么？我们曾想到，约翰十二章的那几个官长，还是被赶出会堂的好，还是承认主痛快得多。如果你是假信，那无所谓；如果你是真信主，又要假冒说，你与反对主的人是表同情的，那你里面的良心必定有控告。他们在那里反对主的时候，你心里觉得不平安，而你口里却要说“这是很有趣的事，”这岂不是为人最痛苦的一件事！
　　不承认主是一件最痛苦的事。在人面前不承认出来，这是最难受的。那几个官长的地位，如果要和我们对调，我们宁可不要。他们太难受了！你如果不信，那没有话说；你真的信了，就从会堂里出来，那倒是舒服的事，那倒是可喜可乐的事。你也许觉得有难处，但是我们可以凭着已往的经历告诉你，如果你不这样作，你的难处还要大，你的心还要难受。
　　引一个比喻：如果你听见有人在那里恶意毁谤你的父母，说你的父母是怎样怎样的人，而你还能坐在那里听，不只，你还装作和他们表同情；请问，你这一个人是什么人？何况我们的主舍了命，救了你，你能不说一句话，为着你所敬拜的、你所事奉的主么？如果是这样，你这一个人就没有多大用处。人总得有胆量站起来，为着主承认说，“我是一个属乎主的人！”
　
　
　　有的初信的人，受了人遗传的教训，他们常常有一个错误，以为说，我这一个人应当有好的行为，这是要紧的；口里承认不承认不要紧。口里改变没有用，最要紧的是行为改变。这种错误的想法，我们要纠正。我们不是说行为不必改变。如果行为不改变，口说当然没有用。但是行为改变了，口不说也没有用。一个人行为的改变，绝不能代替口的承认。行为改变了，口还得承认。
　　每一个初信的人，总得在最早的机会里向人表示说，“我已经相信了主耶稣。”你如果口里不说，别人对于你会有许多的猜想，他们可以用哲学的方法来解释你的行为。他们各种的说法都说了，就是摸不着主耶稣。所以，你应当告诉他们，你的行为改变到底是什么原因。好行为不能代替口里的承认；好行为是应当有，口里的承认也应当有。总得对人说，“耶稣是我的主，我要事奉祂。”不管你的行为多好，这些话总得说出来。
　　我们曾听见有些人说，人如果外面的行为好，就可以不开口。请记得，凡说这样话的人，如果行为不好一点，谁也不会去说他。但是如果你站起来承认说“我是基督徒，”那你的行为一不好，就会有人来说话，马上有人责备你。只要行为好而不要口里承认主的，乃是留下机会叫他的行为不好，乃是留下机会叫他自己逃避人的责备。所以千万不要相信说，行为改了就行。口里的承认，绝对不可少。开口承认，是绝对应该作的事。
　
　　有的人要想：“我口里一承认，如果我基督徒作不到底，岂不是要闹笑话么？也许过了三年五年，基督徒作不好了，那怎么办？所以，还是不说的好。等我过了几年，行了再说吧！”我们可以对他说，你如果怕行为不行，怕跌倒，就不承认，我们有把握的说，你必定跌倒。因为你把后门开着，不想走大门。因为你先预备好不承认，要等你靠得住了再承认。我们相当有把握的说，你必定要跌倒。倒不如你站起来说，“我是主的人。”你先把后门堵住，以后要想退后跌倒，也不容易了。这样，你往前进的机会要比往后退的机会多得多，你才有往前进的可能。
　　你如果想等到行为好了才开口，那你的口就一辈子都开不起来。你一辈子都是哑巴；行为好了，还是哑巴。起头的时候不开口，这一个口就不容易开。你如果开口，你行为好的机会多得多。如果要等到行为好了才开口，开口的机会就没有，行为好的机会也没有，两个都不行，两个都没有。
　　有一件事可以安慰我们的，就是神不只是拯救我们的神，神也是保守我们的神。拯救好像什么？拯救好像把一件东西买回来。保守好像什么？保守好像把那一件东西摆在他自己手里。请问，世界上有几个人买东西是预备丢掉的？我们把一只表买回来，是想用它五年十年，不是买了回来就丢掉。神到处救人，祂不是要救一个丢一个，乃是要保守。神救了我们，就要保守我们。神把我们救回来，就要保守我们到那一天。神爱你到一个地步，肯舍弃祂的儿子拯救你回来。祂如果不保守你，就不会出这么大的代价。保守你，是神的旨意；保守你，是神的计划。你不要怕站起来说了“我是信主的，”过几天不行了，怎么办？请你不要自己挂虑，这个让神来负责好了。你还是简简单单的站起来说，“我是属神的。”你把你自己交托给神，神知道你这一个人需要扶持、安慰或者保守。我们有把握说，神必定保守人的得救；因为有保守，救赎才有意义。
　
三
　
怕人
　　有的人不敢承认，乃是因为怕人。有许多人的的确确心里没有别的意思，他很乐意站起来承认，可是他把别人的面孔看一看，就不敢说了。把父母的脸看一看，就觉得不大好说；把朋友的脸看一看，就觉得不大好说。许多人就在这里碰着难处，就是怕人，没有胆量开口。他本来就是胆怯的人，不只对于信主的事情胆怯。你要他在人面前表示说“我是信主的人，”真像要他的命，他就是不敢开口。
　　但是，这样的人要听神的话。箴二九25：“惧怕人的，陷入网罗。”看见人就怕的，就“陷入网罗”。你在那里怕，就在那里陷入网罗。你的那一个怕，就是你的网罗。你把怕人的心放在那里，就造成了一个网罗。你怕，你就落到网罗里。这一个网罗，就是你自己的怕所造成出来的。其实，你所怕的那一个人，也许他很欢喜听也难说；即使他不欢喜听，也不一定像你所想的那样可怕。
　　有一个故事，大意是这样：有两个人，是同事。－箴言一个信主了，－箴言一个没有信主。信主的那一个胆子非常小；没有信主的那一个，胆子也非常小。信主的那一个因胆子小，不敢向那一个同事说，我已经得救了。还没有信主的那一个人，看见他这个同事大有改变，从前脾气很急的，现在变作不急了，因此心里觉得很希奇，但是不敢问他是什么原因。他们两个共用－箴言一张桌子，天天面对面的坐着。但是，－箴言一个怕得很，不敢说；－箴言一个怕得很，不敢问。每天总是你看看我，我看看你。－箴言一个不敢问，－箴言一个不敢告诉。到了有一天，信主的那一个，实在受不住了，他就好好的祷告过，然后到那一个人面前去，手握得紧紧的对他说，“我这一个人胆子小得很，至少有三个月的工夫不敢告诉你，我现在告诉你，我已经相信了耶稣。”他说了这话，面孔都发青了。那一个人说，“我也有三个月的工夫，要问你为什么和从前不一样，却不敢问。”他壮起胆开了口，从此就有机会带他的朋友来认识主了。
　　怕人的人，陷入网罗。请记得，你在那里怕他，也许他也在那里怕你。所以我们绝对不应该有怕人的心。我们跟从神的人，不应当作一个怕人的人。存怕人的心，就不能作一个好基督徒，就不能事奉神。基督徒必须有胆量告诉亲戚朋友，必须有胆量在私人面前，在公众面前，承认主是谁。从起头，我们就得走在这条路上。
　
四
　
怕羞
　　还有的人是因为怕羞。他觉得作基督徒有羞耻。在不信的人面前，的确有这个味道。今天如果你说你在研究什么技术，别人就会说你是有前途的人。如果你说你在研究什么哲学，别人也会说你是有思想的人。你说作别的事，都不会觉得羞耻。但是，你说你是基督徒，那就必定有许多人要说你的学问不行，思想不行，要觉得你这一个人没有多大用处。在任何的时候，你说别的不觉得有羞耻，但一承认是基督徒，就觉得有羞耻在里面。所以，初信的人一开口说自己是基督徒，就不免有羞耻的感觉。可是我们必须把这种感觉打破。不错，人是觉得作基督徒可羞；但是，我们必须打破这一个感觉。
　　我们怎样才能打破这种羞耻的感觉呢？我们要从两方面来看：
　　一方面，主耶稣挂在十字架上的时候，祂担当了我们的罪，也担当了我们的羞耻。我们的主，担当我们的罪的时候，祂受了极大的羞辱。今天我们在神面前，如果也受了人的羞辱，那是应该的事。我们今天为着主在人面前所受的羞辱，远赶不上主在十字架上为着我们所受的羞辱。所以，就是有羞辱，也应该一点不希奇。我们应该知道我们是属乎主的。
　　另一面，有一首诗相当好，它说，“因你害羞！同时旭朝也可面红不认太阳！是你放射神圣光照，照明我的如夜天良。”（“诗歌”增订暂编本第三五五首第三节）如果主恩待我们，主拯救我们，我们能够以承认祂为羞耻的话，那么旭朝也能够以承认使它光明的太阳为羞耻了。今天主恩待了你，主拯救了你，主扶持了你，主要把你领到天上去，而你竟以承认祂为羞耻，那就所有的恩典都是可羞耻的，就可以都不承认了！主在你身上作了这么多的事，你还以承认主为可羞耻的么？没有那个可能。
　　事实上应当觉得羞耻的，是荒宴醉酒、放荡无度、行事暗昧、犯罪作恶。主救我们脱离了这些我们应当觉得荣耀才对，怎么可以有羞耻的感觉呢？我们承认主的人，不是羞耻的；承认主的人，是可荣耀可喜乐的！我们乃是永远不沉沦、不被神定罪、不受审判、不至永远离开神荣耀的脸面的人。我们是跟随羔羊的人，我们是与羔羊永远在一起的人（启十四4）。人把羞耻的观念加在我们身上，是完全不对的。我们应当很勇敢的站起来说，我们是属乎神的，我们是可荣耀可喜乐的。
　　彼得平生是一个相当好强的人，在门徒中间什么事情都想出人头地，什么事情都想走在别人的前面。但是有一天，彼得因着不承认主，就像一只小鼠一样，被人一问，就胆怯。按人看，彼得生平是个好汉，是门徒中的领袖；但是，别人还没有说要他的命，他就怕了；别人只说一句“这个人也是同拿撒勒人耶稣一伙的”，他就发抖了，就在人面前起誓了。这真是不像样子。所有的不承认，都是不像样子的。彼得在那里是最羞耻的，彼得的不承认是最羞耻的（太二六69~75）。
　　一切没有胆量开口的人，都是羞耻的人。真的荣耀的人，即使烧在火里，浸在水里，也要承认说，“我是拿撒勒人耶稣的人！”被人鞭打，被丢在火里，被扔在狮子洞里，还是说“我是拿撒勒人耶稣的人，”这是全世界最荣耀的事。最羞耻的，就是以承认主为羞耻的人。这样的人没有用处。连他自己都得恨恶自己说，这是何等羞耻！自己轻看自己，自己把自己所有的当作可耻的，这是最可耻的。
　　所以，惧怕是错的，是不应该的；羞耻也是错的，也是不应该的。所有学习跟从主的人，都应当学习勇敢的在人面前承认主。如果光明是羞耻的，黑暗是荣耀的；如果圣洁是羞耻的，犯罪是荣耀的；如果属灵的是羞耻的，属肉体的是荣耀的；如果跟从主是羞耻的，跟从人是荣耀的；那我们宁可拣选羞耻，我们宁可与基督一同受羞辱，像摩西一样，胜于在人中间得着荣耀（来十一26）。
　
　　约翰十二章所说的那些官长，为什么不承认主？因为他们贪求人的荣耀，过于神的荣耀。许多人不敢承认，是因为他们两个都要，要基督，也要会堂。我要基督，我信主；我也要会堂，我不承认主。两边都要，就不绝对。
　　你必须看见，你如果要学习事奉主，就得在主和会堂中间挑选一个。不然的话，你永远不能作一个好基督徒。你总得在主和人中间选出一条路来。那些官长，就是怕失去人的交情，就是害怕如果一承认主耶稣，就要从会堂中被赶出去。但是一个绝对拣选主的人，就不怕从会堂里被赶出来。
　　如果你信了主之后，别人不来逼迫你，你该说，“主，我感谢你。”如果你信了主之后，口里承认之后，有人逼迫你，你也该说，“主，我感谢你。”这有什么希奇！我们不能像那几个官长，对会堂有一点舍不得，就不开口，就不承认自己是相信主耶稣的人。教会里的人如果都像他们那样，今天在地上就没有教会。如果当初彼得相信主的时候，也是回家去一声不响；如果保罗、路德、达秘等人信了主，也都是一声不响；如果教会里的人都是一声不响，不敢承认主；那么，他们的麻烦的确是减少了，但是今天在地上就没有教会了！
　　教会有一个特点，就是敢相信主；教会还有一个特点，就是敢承认是相信主的。得救，不只是你相信主耶稣；得救，是你相信了，并且承认你是相信主的。这一个承认是要紧的。基督教不只是在行为上，基督教也是在口里，口非说不行。你总得说出来：“我是一个基督徒。”基督徒光是行为好不算数，还要用口说出来才能算数。把口除去，就没有基督教。圣经的话壳清楚：心里相信就称义，口里承认就得救。基督教就是这一个心里的相信和口里的承认。
　
　　主说，“凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必认他。”（太十32）感谢主，今天我们承认主，将来主也要承认我们。主又说，“凡在人面前不认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必不认他。”（33）“在人面前不认我的，人子在神的使者面前也必不认他。”（路十二9）这一个比较有多大！你不过是在人面前承认你所信的这一位超过一切的人，是千万人中的第一人，说祂真是神的儿子。主却是在天父的面前、在神的使者面前承认你。你如果觉得在人面前承认这样的主是困难的事，那么到那一天，当主在父的荣耀里降临的时候，祂承认像你这样的人，也是何等困难的事。今天我们不要因怕人（赛五一12），而不敢不在人面前承认主。今天我们如果觉得在人面前承认永生神的儿子耶稣基督有困难，那么到有一天，当我们的主回来的时候，祂在父的面前、在众荣耀的使者面前承认我们，也要觉得困难。这是何等严肃的一件事。
　　事实上，我们今天承认祂一点都不难；比起祂的那一个承认来，一点都不难；祂的承认我们，倒是困难的事，因为我们是浪子回到家里，我们并没有什么好。将来祂既然肯承认我们，就我们今天在人面前也要好好的承认祂。
　　但愿初信的弟兄姊妹，一开始就有胆量承认主，千万不要暗暗地作一个基督徒！
　　读经：
　　罗十10：“因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。”
　　箴二九25：“惧怕人的，陷入网罗；唯有倚靠耶和华的，必得安稳。”
　　太十32~33：“凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必认他。凡在人面前不认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必不认他。”
　
　　人信了主，不应当隐藏，人信了主，必须口里承认主。口里承认主，是非常紧要的一件事。
　
　　一个人一信主，就应当在人面前承认主。如果有人生了一个小孩子，一岁两岁都不会说话，三岁的时候还不会说话，那我们要怎么想？难道这是发音特别慢？要到了三十岁才会讲一二三四，到了五十岁才会喊爸爸妈妈？小的时候是哑巴，恐伯一辈子都是哑巴。小的时候不会喊爸爸妈妈，恐伯一辈子都不会喊。照样，如果初信的人不在信主之后立刻承认主，恐怕要终身成为哑巴。小的时候不会说话，可能长大的时候也不会说话。
　　有的人作了十年、二十年的基督徒还是哑巴，因为第一个礼拜、第二个礼拜是哑巴，就是这样哑巴到老了。承认主是在初信的时候就开始的。一信主就开始，以后承认的路就打通了。如果一个人在头几个礼拜、头几个月、头一年是哑巴，他可能会哑巴一辈子。所以人一信主，就得尽力的去向人说到主。即使觉得不容易说，不欢喜在人面前说，也得说。总得在你亲戚朋友面前说。如果不学习公开的说，恐伯要一辈子在神面前成为一个哑巴。我们不盼望有哑巴的信徒，所以，我们必须在一起头的时候，就学习开口。在起头如果不行，后来就难得有行的，除非神有特别的怜悯，有复兴，他才会开口，可是那一个相当费事。所以初信的人总要寻找机会承认主。这一个承认是大事。这一个承认对于他大有益处。
　
　　罗十10：“因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。”人如果心里相信，就可以称义，这是在神面前的事。口里承认，就可以得救，这是讲到在人面前的得救的问题。你信也罢，你不信也罢，这是在神面前的事，谁也看不见。你如果真的信，你在神面前就能够称义。可是，你心里信了，口里不说，人就不承认你是一个得救的人，人还把你算作不信的人，他们没有看见你和他们有什么分别。所以在圣经中很着重的对我们说，心里相信还不壳，还必须口里承认，必须用口说出来。
　　所以，初信的人总得寻找机会承认主。你必须在接触到的人中间，不管是同学也好，是同事也好，是亲戚也好，是朋友也好，总是一有机会，就对他们说，“我信了主耶稣。”越快开口越好。你一开口，他们马上清楚知道你是信耶稣了。这样你就得救，你就从不信的中间得救出来了。
　　我们曾看见有的人信主，起初是犹豫不决的，但是等到他站起来说“我信了耶稣，”就决定了。基督徒就怕不说，他如果一说出来，这一步一踏上去，就定了。许多人信主，起初的时候，也许还在那里摇幌不定，那知一说“我信”就牢靠了。
　
　　你心里相信，口里承认之后，就会得到很大的益处。这一个能使你省去将来许许多多的麻烦。
　　你如果不开口说，“我已经跟从了主耶稣，我已经是属乎主的人；”无论如何，别人看你是和他们一样的人，结果，他们一有犯罪的事，一有情欲的事，就要把你算作他们中间的一分子。虽然你心里觉得你是一个基督徒，不好和他们混在一起，但是你又不能拒绝他们，你要讨他们的喜欢。你想出一个理由来拒绝，也许给你拒绝了。下一次，他们还是来拉你，你又得想出一个理由来推辞。你一次两次用理由、想法子拒绝，但是事情总不能过去。倒不如头一天就把牌子挂出去，承认你是信主的人。只要你一两次的承认，别人就不大会来勉强你。
　　如果不开口承认，如果暗暗地在那里作基督徒，那一个难处，比明显的作基督徒不知道要加多少倍；那一个试探，比明显的作基督徒也不知道要加多少倍。人情的捆绑，已往关系的捆绑，你没有法子脱离。你不能每一次都推说头痛，都推说事忙，你不能次次用理由去推。所以，你第一天就得宣布说，“我已经相信了主耶稣，我已经接受了主耶稣。”你这个牌子一挂出去，你的同事、你的同学、你的亲戚、你的家属，都知道你这一个人是这样的，你就省去了许多麻头。如果不是这样，就这些麻烦不知道要有多少。所以，一个人如果能开口承认我们的主，这一个人就能够省去许多麻烦。
　
　　人如果不开口承认主，还有一个很大的困难。这一个困难，是当主在地上的时候，许多相信主的人所经历过的。
　　主耶稣在犹太人中是被拒绝的。犹太人拒绝主耶稣，拒绝得顶厉害；反对主耶稣，也反对得顶厉害。在约翰九章，我们看见犹太人定规了一件事，就是谁承认耶稣是弥赛亚，就把谁赶出会堂（22）。到了第十二章，圣经又记载说，有许多犹太官长，偷偷的相信了主耶稣，只因怕人把他们赶出会堂，就不敢承认（42）。我们想，这几个人心里舒服不舒服？承认主也许不舒服，但如果不承认主，要更不舒服。犹太人的会堂是什么地方？是反对主耶稣的地方。他们在那里有阴谋，有诡计，商量挖陷阱来陷害主。他们都是在那里预备这些不正当地事。－约翰一个真正信主耶稣的人，坐在那里怎么办？他要有多大的力量才能管住他自己不开口？这个时候，他要开口承认主是有点难，但是他要不开口承认主，他就觉得更难。
　　犹太人会堂的情形，就是代表世人反对主的情形。人对于主耶稣，总是在那里为难，总是在那里觉得说，这一个拿撒勒人耶稣，是他们的难处，他们有各种各样的话，在那里反对我们的主。在这一种情形之下，你能在那里听他们，而在外面装着说，你是和他们一样的人？装假是痛苦的，装假是壳难的，你要用力量管住你自己，勉强你自己。你在这样的情形之下，难道没有一点意思要说，“这一个人是神的儿子，我要信祂；”难道你没有一点意思要说，“这一个人是我的救主，我已经相信了；”难道你没有一点意思要说，“这一个人能救我脱离罪恶，你们不相信，我要相信；”难道你没有一点意思要说这样的话么？
　　请问，难道你能因着要得人间的尊敬，要得人间的地位，就在那里勉强的把你自己的口封住么？我们曾想到，约翰十二章的那几个官长，还是被赶出会堂的好，还是承认主痛快得多。如果你是假信，那无所谓；如果你是真信主，又要假冒说，你与反对主的人是表同情的，那你里面的良心必定有控告。他们在那里反对主的时候，你心里觉得不平安，而你口里却要说“这是很有趣的事，”这岂不是为人最痛苦的一件事！
　　不承认主是一件最痛苦的事。在人面前不承认出来，这是最难受的。那几个官长的地位，如果要和我们对调，我们宁可不要。他们太难受了！你如果不信，那没有话说；你真的信了，就从会堂里出来，那倒是舒服的事，那倒是可喜可乐的事。你也许觉得有难处，但是我们可以凭着已往的经历告诉你，如果你不这样作，你的难处还要大，你的心还要难受。
　　引一个比喻：如果你听见有人在那里恶意毁谤你的父母，说你的父母是怎样怎样的人，而你还能坐在那里听，不只，你还装作和他们表同情；请问，你这一个人是什么人？何况我们的主舍了命，救了你，你能不说一句话，为着你所敬拜的、你所事奉的主么？如果是这样，你这一个人就没有多大用处。人总得有胆量站起来，为着主承认说，“我是一个属乎主的人！”
　
　
　　有的初信的人，受了人遗传的教训，他们常常有一个错误，以为说，我这一个人应当有好的行为，这是要紧的；口里承认不承认不要紧。口里改变没有用，最要紧的是行为改变。这种错误的想法，我们要纠正。我们不是说行为不必改变。如果行为不改变，口说当然没有用。但是行为改变了，口不说也没有用。一个人行为的改变，绝不能代替口的承认。行为改变了，口还得承认。
　　每一个初信的人，总得在最早的机会里向人表示说，“我已经相信了主耶稣。”你如果口里不说，别人对于你会有许多的猜想，他们可以用哲学的方法来解释你的行为。他们各种的说法都说了，就是摸不着主耶稣。所以，你应当告诉他们，你的行为改变到底是什么原因。好行为不能代替口里的承认；好行为是应当有，口里的承认也应当有。总得对人说，“耶稣是我的主，我要事奉祂。”不管你的行为多好，这些话总得说出来。
　　我们曾听见有些人说，人如果外面的行为好，就可以不开口。请记得，凡说这样话的人，如果行为不好一点，谁也不会去说他。但是如果你站起来承认说“我是基督徒，”那你的行为一不好，就会有人来说话，马上有人责备你。只要行为好而不要口里承认主的，乃是留下机会叫他的行为不好，乃是留下机会叫他自己逃避人的责备。所以千万不要相信说，行为改了就行。口里的承认，绝对不可少。开口承认，是绝对应该作的事。
　
　　有的人要想：“我口里一承认，如果我基督徒作不到底，岂不是要闹笑话么？也许过了三年五年，基督徒作不好了，那怎么办？所以，还是不说的好。等我过了几年，行了再说吧！”我们可以对他说，你如果怕行为不行，怕跌倒，就不承认，我们有把握的说，你必定跌倒。因为你把后门开着，不想走大门。因为你先预备好不承认，要等你靠得住了再承认。我们相当有把握的说，你必定要跌倒。倒不如你站起来说，“我是主的人。”你先把后门堵住，以后要想退后跌倒，也不容易了。这样，你往前进的机会要比往后退的机会多得多，你才有往前进的可能。
　　你如果想等到行为好了才开口，那你的口就一辈子都开不起来。你一辈子都是哑巴；行为好了，还是哑巴。起头的时候不开口，这一个口就不容易开。你如果开口，你行为好的机会多得多。如果要等到行为好了才开口，开口的机会就没有，行为好的机会也没有，两个都不行，两个都没有。
　　有一件事可以安慰我们的，就是神不只是拯救我们的神，神也是保守我们的神。拯救好像什么？拯救好像把一件东西买回来。保守好像什么？保守好像把那一件东西摆在他自己手里。请问，世界上有几个人买东西是预备丢掉的？我们把一只表买回来，是想用它五年十年，不是买了回来就丢掉。神到处救人，祂不是要救一个丢一个，乃是要保守。神救了我们，就要保守我们。神把我们救回来，就要保守我们到那一天。神爱你到一个地步，肯舍弃祂的儿子拯救你回来。祂如果不保守你，就不会出这么大的代价。保守你，是神的旨意；保守你，是神的计划。你不要怕站起来说了“我是信主的，”过几天不行了，怎么办？请你不要自己挂虑，这个让神来负责好了。你还是简简单单的站起来说，“我是属神的。”你把你自己交托给神，神知道你这一个人需要扶持、安慰或者保守。我们有把握说，神必定保守人的得救；因为有保守，救赎才有意义。
　
三
　
怕人
　　有的人不敢承认，乃是因为怕人。有许多人的的确确心里没有别的意思，他很乐意站起来承认，可是他把别人的面孔看一看，就不敢说了。把父母的脸看一看，就觉得不大好说；把朋友的脸看一看，就觉得不大好说。许多人就在这里碰着难处，就是怕人，没有胆量开口。他本来就是胆怯的人，不只对于信主的事情胆怯。你要他在人面前表示说“我是信主的人，”真像要他的命，他就是不敢开口。
　　但是，这样的人要听神的话。箴二九25：“惧怕人的，陷入网罗。”看见人就怕的，就“陷入网罗”。你在那里怕，就在那里陷入网罗。你的那一个怕，就是你的网罗。你把怕人的心放在那里，就造成了一个网罗。你怕，你就落到网罗里。这一个网罗，就是你自己的怕所造成出来的。其实，你所怕的那一个人，也许他很欢喜听也难说；即使他不欢喜听，也不一定像你所想的那样可怕。
　　有一个故事，大意是这样：有两个人，是同事。－箴言一个信主了，－箴言一个没有信主。信主的那一个胆子非常小；没有信主的那一个，胆子也非常小。信主的那一个因胆子小，不敢向那一个同事说，我已经得救了。还没有信主的那一个人，看见他这个同事大有改变，从前脾气很急的，现在变作不急了，因此心里觉得很希奇，但是不敢问他是什么原因。他们两个共用－箴言一张桌子，天天面对面的坐着。但是，－箴言一个怕得很，不敢说；－箴言一个怕得很，不敢问。每天总是你看看我，我看看你。－箴言一个不敢问，－箴言一个不敢告诉。到了有一天，信主的那一个，实在受不住了，他就好好的祷告过，然后到那一个人面前去，手握得紧紧的对他说，“我这一个人胆子小得很，至少有三个月的工夫不敢告诉你，我现在告诉你，我已经相信了耶稣。”他说了这话，面孔都发青了。那一个人说，“我也有三个月的工夫，要问你为什么和从前不一样，却不敢问。”他壮起胆开了口，从此就有机会带他的朋友来认识主了。
　　怕人的人，陷入网罗。请记得，你在那里怕他，也许他也在那里怕你。所以我们绝对不应该有怕人的心。我们跟从神的人，不应当作一个怕人的人。存怕人的心，就不能作一个好基督徒，就不能事奉神。基督徒必须有胆量告诉亲戚朋友，必须有胆量在私人面前，在公众面前，承认主是谁。从起头，我们就得走在这条路上。
　
四
　
怕羞
　　还有的人是因为怕羞。他觉得作基督徒有羞耻。在不信的人面前，的确有这个味道。今天如果你说你在研究什么技术，别人就会说你是有前途的人。如果你说你在研究什么哲学，别人也会说你是有思想的人。你说作别的事，都不会觉得羞耻。但是，你说你是基督徒，那就必定有许多人要说你的学问不行，思想不行，要觉得你这一个人没有多大用处。在任何的时候，你说别的不觉得有羞耻，但一承认是基督徒，就觉得有羞耻在里面。所以，初信的人一开口说自己是基督徒，就不免有羞耻的感觉。可是我们必须把这种感觉打破。不错，人是觉得作基督徒可羞；但是，我们必须打破这一个感觉。
　　我们怎样才能打破这种羞耻的感觉呢？我们要从两方面来看：
　　一方面，主耶稣挂在十字架上的时候，祂担当了我们的罪，也担当了我们的羞耻。我们的主，担当我们的罪的时候，祂受了极大的羞辱。今天我们在神面前，如果也受了人的羞辱，那是应该的事。我们今天为着主在人面前所受的羞辱，远赶不上主在十字架上为着我们所受的羞辱。所以，就是有羞辱，也应该一点不希奇。我们应该知道我们是属乎主的。
　　另一面，有一首诗相当好，它说，“因你害羞！同时旭朝也可面红不认太阳！是你放射神圣光照，照明我的如夜天良。”（“诗歌”增订暂编本第三五五首第三节）如果主恩待我们，主拯救我们，我们能够以承认祂为羞耻的话，那么旭朝也能够以承认使它光明的太阳为羞耻了。今天主恩待了你，主拯救了你，主扶持了你，主要把你领到天上去，而你竟以承认祂为羞耻，那就所有的恩典都是可羞耻的，就可以都不承认了！主在你身上作了这么多的事，你还以承认主为可羞耻的么？没有那个可能。
　　事实上应当觉得羞耻的，是荒宴醉酒、放荡无度、行事暗昧、犯罪作恶。主救我们脱离了这些我们应当觉得荣耀才对，怎么可以有羞耻的感觉呢？我们承认主的人，不是羞耻的；承认主的人，是可荣耀可喜乐的！我们乃是永远不沉沦、不被神定罪、不受审判、不至永远离开神荣耀的脸面的人。我们是跟随羔羊的人，我们是与羔羊永远在一起的人（启十四4）。人把羞耻的观念加在我们身上，是完全不对的。我们应当很勇敢的站起来说，我们是属乎神的，我们是可荣耀可喜乐的。
　　彼得平生是一个相当好强的人，在门徒中间什么事情都想出人头地，什么事情都想走在别人的前面。但是有一天，彼得因着不承认主，就像一只小鼠一样，被人一问，就胆怯。按人看，彼得生平是个好汉，是门徒中的领袖；但是，别人还没有说要他的命，他就怕了；别人只说一句“这个人也是同拿撒勒人耶稣一伙的”，他就发抖了，就在人面前起誓了。这真是不像样子。所有的不承认，都是不像样子的。彼得在那里是最羞耻的，彼得的不承认是最羞耻的（太二六69~75）。
　　一切没有胆量开口的人，都是羞耻的人。真的荣耀的人，即使烧在火里，浸在水里，也要承认说，“我是拿撒勒人耶稣的人！”被人鞭打，被丢在火里，被扔在狮子洞里，还是说“我是拿撒勒人耶稣的人，”这是全世界最荣耀的事。最羞耻的，就是以承认主为羞耻的人。这样的人没有用处。连他自己都得恨恶自己说，这是何等羞耻！自己轻看自己，自己把自己所有的当作可耻的，这是最可耻的。
　　所以，惧怕是错的，是不应该的；羞耻也是错的，也是不应该的。所有学习跟从主的人，都应当学习勇敢的在人面前承认主。如果光明是羞耻的，黑暗是荣耀的；如果圣洁是羞耻的，犯罪是荣耀的；如果属灵的是羞耻的，属肉体的是荣耀的；如果跟从主是羞耻的，跟从人是荣耀的；那我们宁可拣选羞耻，我们宁可与基督一同受羞辱，像摩西一样，胜于在人中间得着荣耀（来十一26）。
　
　　约翰十二章所说的那些官长，为什么不承认主？因为他们贪求人的荣耀，过于神的荣耀。许多人不敢承认，是因为他们两个都要，要基督，也要会堂。我要基督，我信主；我也要会堂，我不承认主。两边都要，就不绝对。
　　你必须看见，你如果要学习事奉主，就得在主和会堂中间挑选一个。不然的话，你永远不能作一个好基督徒。你总得在主和人中间选出一条路来。那些官长，就是怕失去人的交情，就是害怕如果一承认主耶稣，就要从会堂中被赶出去。但是一个绝对拣选主的人，就不怕从会堂里被赶出来。
　　如果你信了主之后，别人不来逼迫你，你该说，“主，我感谢你。”如果你信了主之后，口里承认之后，有人逼迫你，你也该说，“主，我感谢你。”这有什么希奇！我们不能像那几个官长，对会堂有一点舍不得，就不开口，就不承认自己是相信主耶稣的人。教会里的人如果都像他们那样，今天在地上就没有教会。如果当初彼得相信主的时候，也是回家去一声不响；如果保罗、路德、达秘等人信了主，也都是一声不响；如果教会里的人都是一声不响，不敢承认主；那么，他们的麻烦的确是减少了，但是今天在地上就没有教会了！
　　教会有一个特点，就是敢相信主；教会还有一个特点，就是敢承认是相信主的。得救，不只是你相信主耶稣；得救，是你相信了，并且承认你是相信主的。这一个承认是要紧的。基督教不只是在行为上，基督教也是在口里，口非说不行。你总得说出来：“我是一个基督徒。”基督徒光是行为好不算数，还要用口说出来才能算数。把口除去，就没有基督教。圣经的话壳清楚：心里相信就称义，口里承认就得救。基督教就是这一个心里的相信和口里的承认。
　
　　主说，“凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必认他。”（太十32）感谢主，今天我们承认主，将来主也要承认我们。主又说，“凡在人面前不认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必不认他。”（33）“在人面前不认我的，人子在神的使者面前也必不认他。”（路十二9）这一个比较有多大！你不过是在人面前承认你所信的这一位超过一切的人，是千万人中的第一人，说祂真是神的儿子。主却是在天父的面前、在神的使者面前承认你。你如果觉得在人面前承认这样的主是困难的事，那么到那一天，当主在父的荣耀里降临的时候，祂承认像你这样的人，也是何等困难的事。今天我们不要因怕人（赛五一12），而不敢不在人面前承认主。今天我们如果觉得在人面前承认永生神的儿子耶稣基督有困难，那么到有一天，当我们的主回来的时候，祂在父的面前、在众荣耀的使者面前承认我们，也要觉得困难。这是何等严肃的一件事。
　　事实上，我们今天承认祂一点都不难；比起祂的那一个承认来，一点都不难；祂的承认我们，倒是困难的事，因为我们是浪子回到家里，我们并没有什么好。将来祂既然肯承认我们，就我们今天在人面前也要好好的承认祂。
　　但愿初信的弟兄姊妹，一开始就有胆量承认主，千万不要暗暗地作一个基督徒！
　　读经：　　罗马书十章十节：“因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。”
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罗10:10  
因为人心里信，就得着义；口里承认，就得救。
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　　箴言二十九章二十五节：“惧怕人的，陷入网罗；唯有倚靠耶和华的，必得安稳。”
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箴29:25  
惧怕人的陷入网罗，惟有信靠耶和华的，必得高举。
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　　马太福音十章三十二至三十三节：“凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必认他。凡在人面前不认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必不认他。”
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太10:32  
凡在人面前，在我里面承认我的，我在我诸天之上的父面前，也必在他里面承认他；
太10:33  
凡在人面前不认我的，我在我诸天之上的父面前，也必不认他。
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　　人信了主，不应当隐藏，人信了主，必须口里承认主。口里承认主，是非常紧要的一件事。
　
　　一个人一信主，就应当在人面前承认主。如果有人生了一个小孩子，一岁两岁都不会说话，三岁的时候还不会说话，那我们要怎么想？难道这是发音特别慢？要到了三十岁才会讲一二三四，到了五十岁才会喊爸爸妈妈？小的时候是哑巴，恐伯一辈子都是哑巴。小的时候不会喊爸爸妈妈，恐伯一辈子都不会喊。照样，如果初信的人不在信主之后立刻承认主，恐怕要终身成为哑巴。小的时候不会说话，可能长大的时候也不会说话。　　有的人作了十年、二十年的基督徒还是哑巴，因为第一个礼拜、第二个礼拜是哑巴，就是这样哑巴到老了。承认主是在初信的时候就开始的。一信主就开始，以后承认的路就打通了。如果一个人在头几个礼拜、头几个月、头一年是哑巴，他可能会哑巴一辈子。所以人一信主，就得尽力的去向人说到主。即使觉得不容易说，不欢喜在人面前说，也得说。总得在你亲戚朋友面前说。如果不学习公开的说，恐伯要一辈子在神面前成为一个哑巴。我们不盼望有哑巴的信徒，所以，我们必须在一起头的时候，就学习开口。在起头如果不行，后来就难得有行的，除非神有特别的怜悯，有复兴，他才会开口，可是那一个相当费事。所以初信的人总要寻找机会承认主。这一个承认是大事。这一个承认对于他大有益处。
　
　　罗马书十章十节：“因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。”人如果心里相信，就可以称义，这是在神面前的事。口里承认，就可以得救，这是讲到在人面前的得救的问题。你信也罢，你不信也罢，这是在神面前的事，谁也看不见。你如果真的信，你在神面前就能够称义。可是，你心里信了，口里不说，人就不承认你是一个得救的人，人还把你算作不信的人，他们没有看见你和他们有什么分别。所以在圣经中很着重的对我们说，心里相信还不壳，还必须口里承认，必须用口说出来。
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罗10:10  
因为人心里信，就得着义；口里承认，就得救。
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　　所以，初信的人总得寻找机会承认主。你必须在接触到的人中间，不管是同学也好，是同事也好，是亲戚也好，是朋友也好，总是一有机会，就对他们说，“我信了主耶稣。”越快开口越好。你一开口，他们马上清楚知道你是信耶稣了。这样你就得救，你就从不信的中间得救出来了。　　我们曾看见有的人信主，起初是犹豫不决的，但是等到他站起来说“我信了耶稣，”就决定了。基督徒就怕不说，他如果一说出来，这一步一踏上去，就定了。许多人信主，起初的时候，也许还在那里摇幌不定，那知一说“我信”就牢靠了。
　
　　你心里相信，口里承认之后，就会得到很大的益处。这一个能使你省去将来许许多多的麻烦。　　你如果不开口说，“我已经跟从了主耶稣，我已经是属乎主的人；”无论如何，别人看你是和他们一样的人，结果，他们一有犯罪的事，一有情欲的事，就要把你算作他们中间的一分子。虽然你心里觉得你是一个基督徒，不好和他们混在一起，但是你又不能拒绝他们，你要讨他们的喜欢。你想出一个理由来拒绝，也许给你拒绝了。下一次，他们还是来拉你，你又得想出一个理由来推辞。你一次两次用理由、想法子拒绝，但是事情总不能过去。倒不如头一天就把牌子挂出去，承认你是信主的人。只要你一两次的承认，别人就不大会来勉强你。　　如果不开口承认，如果暗暗地在那里作基督徒，那一个难处，比明显的作基督徒不知道要加多少倍；那一个试探，比明显的作基督徒也不知道要加多少倍。人情的捆绑，已往关系的捆绑，你没有法子脱离。你不能每一次都推说头痛，都推说事忙，你不能次次用理由去推。所以，你第一天就得宣布说，“我已经相信了主耶稣，我已经接受了主耶稣。”你这个牌子一挂出去，你的同事、你的同学、你的亲戚、你的家属，都知道你这一个人是这样的，你就省去了许多麻头。如果不是这样，就这些麻烦不知道要有多少。所以，一个人如果能开口承认我们的主，这一个人就能够省去许多麻烦。
　
　　人如果不开口承认主，还有一个很大的困难。这一个困难，是当主在地上的时候，许多相信主的人所经历过的。　　主耶稣在犹太人中是被拒绝的。犹太人拒绝主耶稣，拒绝得顶厉害；反对主耶稣，也反对得顶厉害。在约翰九章，我们看见犹太人定规了一件事，就是谁承认耶稣是弥赛亚，就把谁赶出会堂（22）。到了第十二章，圣经又记载说，有许多犹太官长，偷偷的相信了主耶稣，只因怕人把他们赶出会堂，就不敢承认（42）。我们想，这几个人心里舒服不舒服？承认主也许不舒服，但如果不承认主，要更不舒服。犹太人的会堂是什么地方？是反对主耶稣的地方。他们在那里有阴谋，有诡计，商量挖陷阱来陷害主。他们都是在那里预备这些不正当地事。一个真正信主耶稣的人，坐在那里怎么办？他要有多大的力量才能管住他自己不开口？这个时候，他要开口承认主是有点难，但是他要不开口承认主，他就觉得更难。
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约翰福音九章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
约9:22  
他父母说这话，是因怕犹太人，因为犹太人已经商议定了，若有承认耶稣是基督的，要把他赶出会堂。
约翰福音九章没有42节，请检查。
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　　犹太人会堂的情形，就是代表世人反对主的情形。人对于主耶稣，总是在那里为难，总是在那里觉得说，这一个拿撒勒人耶稣，是他们的难处，他们有各种各样的话，在那里反对我们的主。在这一种情形之下，你能在那里听他们，而在外面装着说，你是和他们一样的人？装假是痛苦的，装假是壳难的，你要用力量管住你自己，勉强你自己。你在这样的情形之下，难道没有一点意思要说，“这一个人是神的儿子，我要信祂；”难道你没有一点意思要说，“这一个人是我的救主，我已经相信了；”难道你没有一点意思要说，“这一个人能救我脱离罪恶，你们不相信，我要相信；”难道你没有一点意思要说这样的话么？　　请问，难道你能因着要得人间的尊敬，要得人间的地位，就在那里勉强的把你自己的口封住么？我们曾想到，约翰十二章的那几个官长，还是被赶出会堂的好，还是承认主痛快得多。如果你是假信，那无所谓；如果你是真信主，又要假冒说，你与反对主的人是表同情的，那你里面的良心必定有控告。他们在那里反对主的时候，你心里觉得不平安，而你口里却要说“这是很有趣的事，”这岂不是为人最痛苦的一件事！
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约翰福音十二章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　不承认主是一件最痛苦的事。在人面前不承认出来，这是最难受的。那几个官长的地位，如果要和我们对调，我们宁可不要。他们太难受了！你如果不信，那没有话说；你真的信了，就从会堂里出来，那倒是舒服的事，那倒是可喜可乐的事。你也许觉得有难处，但是我们可以凭着已往的经历告诉你，如果你不这样作，你的难处还要大，你的心还要难受。　　引一个比喻：如果你听见有人在那里恶意毁谤你的父母，说你的父母是怎样怎样的人，而你还能坐在那里听，不只，你还装作和他们表同情；请问，你这一个人是什么人？何况我们的主舍了命，救了你，你能不说一句话，为着你所敬拜的、你所事奉的主么？如果是这样，你这一个人就没有多大用处。人总得有胆量站起来，为着主承认说，“我是一个属乎主的人！”
　
　
　　有的初信的人，受了人遗传的教训，他们常常有一个错误，以为说，我这一个人应当有好的行为，这是要紧的；口里承认不承认不要紧。口里改变没有用，最要紧的是行为改变。这种错误的想法，我们要纠正。我们不是说行为不必改变。如果行为不改变，口说当然没有用。但是行为改变了，口不说也没有用。一个人行为的改变，绝不能代替口的承认。行为改变了，口还得承认。　　每一个初信的人，总得在最早的机会里向人表示说，“我已经相信了主耶稣。”你如果口里不说，别人对于你会有许多的猜想，他们可以用哲学的方法来解释你的行为。他们各种的说法都说了，就是摸不着主耶稣。所以，你应当告诉他们，你的行为改变到底是什么原因。好行为不能代替口里的承认；好行为是应当有，口里的承认也应当有。总得对人说，“耶稣是我的主，我要事奉祂。”不管你的行为多好，这些话总得说出来。　　我们曾听见有些人说，人如果外面的行为好，就可以不开口。请记得，凡说这样话的人，如果行为不好一点，谁也不会去说他。但是如果你站起来承认说“我是基督徒，”那你的行为一不好，就会有人来说话，马上有人责备你。只要行为好而不要口里承认主的，乃是留下机会叫他的行为不好，乃是留下机会叫他自己逃避人的责备。所以千万不要相信说，行为改了就行。口里的承认，绝对不可少。开口承认，是绝对应该作的事。
　
　　有的人要想：“我口里一承认，如果我基督徒作不到底，岂不是要闹笑话么？也许过了三年五年，基督徒作不好了，那怎么办？所以，还是不说的好。等我过了几年，行了再说吧！”我们可以对他说，你如果怕行为不行，怕跌倒，就不承认，我们有把握的说，你必定跌倒。因为你把后门开着，不想走大门。因为你先预备好不承认，要等你靠得住了再承认。我们相当有把握的说，你必定要跌倒。倒不如你站起来说，“我是主的人。”你先把后门堵住，以后要想退后跌倒，也不容易了。这样，你往前进的机会要比往后退的机会多得多，你才有往前进的可能。　　你如果想等到行为好了才开口，那你的口就一辈子都开不起来。你一辈子都是哑巴；行为好了，还是哑巴。起头的时候不开口，这一个口就不容易开。你如果开口，你行为好的机会多得多。如果要等到行为好了才开口，开口的机会就没有，行为好的机会也没有，两个都不行，两个都没有。　　有一件事可以安慰我们的，就是神不只是拯救我们的神，神也是保守我们的神。拯救好像什么？拯救好像把一件东西买回来。保守好像什么？保守好像把那一件东西摆在他自己手里。请问，世界上有几个人买东西是预备丢掉的？我们把一只表买回来，是想用它五年十年，不是买了回来就丢掉。神到处救人，祂不是要救一个丢一个，乃是要保守。神救了我们，就要保守我们。神把我们救回来，就要保守我们到那一天。神爱你到一个地步，肯舍弃祂的儿子拯救你回来。祂如果不保守你，就不会出这么大的代价。保守你，是神的旨意；保守你，是神的计划。你不要怕站起来说了“我是信主的，”过几天不行了，怎么办？请你不要自己挂虑，这个让神来负责好了。你还是简简单单的站起来说，“我是属神的。”你把你自己交托给神，神知道你这一个人需要扶持、安慰或者保守。我们有把握说，神必定保守人的得救；因为有保守，救赎才有意义。
　
三
　
怕人
　　有的人不敢承认，乃是因为怕人。有许多人的的确确心里没有别的意思，他很乐意站起来承认，可是他把别人的面孔看一看，就不敢说了。把父母的脸看一看，就觉得不大好说；把朋友的脸看一看，就觉得不大好说。许多人就在这里碰着难处，就是怕人，没有胆量开口。他本来就是胆怯的人，不只对于信主的事情胆怯。你要他在人面前表示说“我是信主的人，”真像要他的命，他就是不敢开口。　　但是，这样的人要听神的话。箴言二十九章二十五节：“惧怕人的，陷入网罗。”看见人就怕的，就“陷入网罗”。你在那里怕，就在那里陷入网罗。你的那一个怕，就是你的网罗。你把怕人的心放在那里，就造成了一个网罗。你怕，你就落到网罗里。这一个网罗，就是你自己的怕所造成出来的。其实，你所怕的那一个人，也许他很欢喜听也难说；即使他不欢喜听，也不一定像你所想的那样可怕。
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箴29:25  
惧怕人的陷入网罗，惟有信靠耶和华的，必得高举。
------------------------
　　有一个故事，大意是这样：有两个人，是同事。一个信主了，一个没有信主。信主的那一个胆子非常小；没有信主的那一个，胆子也非常小。信主的那一个因胆子小，不敢向那一个同事说，我已经得救了。还没有信主的那一个人，看见他这个同事大有改变，从前脾气很急的，现在变作不急了，因此心里觉得很希奇，但是不敢问他是什么原因。他们两个共用一张桌子，天天面对面的坐着。但是，一个怕得很，不敢说；一个怕得很，不敢问。每天总是你看看我，我看看你。一个不敢问，一个不敢告诉。到了有一天，信主的那一个，实在受不住了，他就好好的祷告过，然后到那一个人面前去，手握得紧紧的对他说，“我这一个人胆子小得很，至少有三个月的工夫不敢告诉你，我现在告诉你，我已经相信了耶稣。”他说了这话，面孔都发青了。那一个人说，“我也有三个月的工夫，要问你为什么和从前不一样，却不敢问。”他壮起胆开了口，从此就有机会带他的朋友来认识主了。　　怕人的人，陷入网罗。请记得，你在那里怕他，也许他也在那里怕你。所以我们绝对不应该有怕人的心。我们跟从神的人，不应当作一个怕人的人。存怕人的心，就不能作一个好基督徒，就不能事奉神。基督徒必须有胆量告诉亲戚朋友，必须有胆量在私人面前，在公众面前，承认主是谁。从起头，我们就得走在这条路上。
　
四
　
怕羞
　　还有的人是因为怕羞。他觉得作基督徒有羞耻。在不信的人面前，的确有这个味道。今天如果你说你在研究什么技术，别人就会说你是有前途的人。如果你说你在研究什么哲学，别人也会说你是有思想的人。你说作别的事，都不会觉得羞耻。但是，你说你是基督徒，那就必定有许多人要说你的学问不行，思想不行，要觉得你这一个人没有多大用处。在任何的时候，你说别的不觉得有羞耻，但一承认是基督徒，就觉得有羞耻在里面。所以，初信的人一开口说自己是基督徒，就不免有羞耻的感觉。可是我们必须把这种感觉打破。不错，人是觉得作基督徒可羞；但是，我们必须打破这一个感觉。　　我们怎样才能打破这种羞耻的感觉呢？我们要从两方面来看：　　一方面，主耶稣挂在十字架上的时候，祂担当了我们的罪，也担当了我们的羞耻。我们的主，担当我们的罪的时候，祂受了极大的羞辱。今天我们在神面前，如果也受了人的羞辱，那是应该的事。我们今天为着主在人面前所受的羞辱，远赶不上主在十字架上为着我们所受的羞辱。所以，就是有羞辱，也应该一点不希奇。我们应该知道我们是属乎主的。　　另一面，有一首诗相当好，它说，“因你害羞！同时旭朝也可面红不认太阳！是你放射神圣光照，照明我的如夜天良。”（“诗歌”增订暂编本第三五五首第三节）如果主恩待我们，主拯救我们，我们能够以承认祂为羞耻的话，那么旭朝也能够以承认使它光明的太阳为羞耻了。今天主恩待了你，主拯救了你，主扶持了你，主要把你领到天上去，而你竟以承认祂为羞耻，那就所有的恩典都是可羞耻的，就可以都不承认了！主在你身上作了这么多的事，你还以承认主为可羞耻的么？没有那个可能。　　事实上应当觉得羞耻的，是荒宴醉酒、放荡无度、行事暗昧、犯罪作恶。主救我们脱离了这些我们应当觉得荣耀才对，怎么可以有羞耻的感觉呢？我们承认主的人，不是羞耻的；承认主的人，是可荣耀可喜乐的！我们乃是永远不沉沦、不被神定罪、不受审判、不至永远离开神荣耀的脸面的人。我们是跟随羔羊的人，我们是与羔羊永远在一起的人（启十四4）。人把羞耻的观念加在我们身上，是完全不对的。我们应当很勇敢的站起来说，我们是属乎神的，我们是可荣耀可喜乐的。
--------本段经节汇集--------
启14:4  
这些人未曾与妇女在一起受到玷污，他们原是童身。羔羊无论往哪里去，他们都跟随祂。他们是从人间买来的，作初熟的果子归与神和羔羊；
------------------------
　　彼得平生是一个相当好强的人，在门徒中间什么事情都想出人头地，什么事情都想走在别人的前面。但是有一天，彼得因着不承认主，就像一只小鼠一样，被人一问，就胆怯。按人看，彼得生平是个好汉，是门徒中的领袖；但是，别人还没有说要他的命，他就怕了；别人只说一句“这个人也是同拿撒勒人耶稣一伙的”，他就发抖了，就在人面前起誓了。这真是不像样子。所有的不承认，都是不像样子的。彼得在那里是最羞耻的，彼得的不承认是最羞耻的（太二六69~75）。
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太26:69  
彼得却在外面院子里坐着，有一个使女来到他跟前，说，你也是同那加利利人耶稣一起的。
太26:70  
彼得在众人面前却不承认，说，我不知道你说的是什么。
太26:71  
他出去，到了门廊，另有一个使女看见他，就对那里的人说，这个人也是同那拿撒勒人耶稣一起的。
太26:72  
彼得又不承认，起誓说，我不认得那个人。
太26:73  
过了不久，旁边站着的人进前来，对彼得说，你也确是属他们的，因为你的口音把你露出来了。
太26:74  
彼得遂发咒起誓说，我不认得那个人。立时鸡就叫了。
太26:75  
彼得想起耶稣所说的话，鸡叫以前，你要三次否认我。他就到外面去痛哭。
------------------------
　　一切没有胆量开口的人，都是羞耻的人。真的荣耀的人，即使烧在火里，浸在水里，也要承认说，“我是拿撒勒人耶稣的人！”被人鞭打，被丢在火里，被扔在狮子洞里，还是说“我是拿撒勒人耶稣的人，”这是全世界最荣耀的事。最羞耻的，就是以承认主为羞耻的人。这样的人没有用处。连他自己都得恨恶自己说，这是何等羞耻！自己轻看自己，自己把自己所有的当作可耻的，这是最可耻的。　　所以，惧怕是错的，是不应该的；羞耻也是错的，也是不应该的。所有学习跟从主的人，都应当学习勇敢的在人面前承认主。如果光明是羞耻的，黑暗是荣耀的；如果圣洁是羞耻的，犯罪是荣耀的；如果属灵的是羞耻的，属肉体的是荣耀的；如果跟从主是羞耻的，跟从人是荣耀的；那我们宁可拣选羞耻，我们宁可与基督一同受羞辱，像摩西一样，胜于在人中间得着荣耀（来十一26）。
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来11:26  
他算为基督受的凌辱，比埃及的财物更宝贵，因他望断以及于那赏赐。
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　　约翰十二章所说的那些官长，为什么不承认主？因为他们贪求人的荣耀，过于神的荣耀。许多人不敢承认，是因为他们两个都要，要基督，也要会堂。我要基督，我信主；我也要会堂，我不承认主。两边都要，就不绝对。
--------本段经节汇集--------
约翰福音十二章（略，若需要被汇集，请勾选“不忽略整章”）
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　　你必须看见，你如果要学习事奉主，就得在主和会堂中间挑选一个。不然的话，你永远不能作一个好基督徒。你总得在主和人中间选出一条路来。那些官长，就是怕失去人的交情，就是害怕如果一承认主耶稣，就要从会堂中被赶出去。但是一个绝对拣选主的人，就不怕从会堂里被赶出来。　　如果你信了主之后，别人不来逼迫你，你该说，“主，我感谢你。”如果你信了主之后，口里承认之后，有人逼迫你，你也该说，“主，我感谢你。”这有什么希奇！我们不能像那几个官长，对会堂有一点舍不得，就不开口，就不承认自己是相信主耶稣的人。教会里的人如果都像他们那样，今天在地上就没有教会。如果当初彼得相信主的时候，也是回家去一声不响；如果保罗、路德、达秘等人信了主，也都是一声不响；如果教会里的人都是一声不响，不敢承认主；那么，他们的麻烦的确是减少了，但是今天在地上就没有教会了！　　教会有一个特点，就是敢相信主；教会还有一个特点，就是敢承认是相信主的。得救，不只是你相信主耶稣；得救，是你相信了，并且承认你是相信主的。这一个承认是要紧的。基督教不只是在行为上，基督教也是在口里，口非说不行。你总得说出来：“我是一个基督徒。”基督徒光是行为好不算数，还要用口说出来才能算数。把口除去，就没有基督教。圣经的话壳清楚：心里相信就称义，口里承认就得救。基督教就是这一个心里的相信和口里的承认。
　
　　主说，“凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必认他。”（太十32）感谢主，今天我们承认主，将来主也要承认我们。主又说，“凡在人面前不认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必不认他。”（33）“在人面前不认我的，人子在神的使者面前也必不认他。”（路十二9）这一个比较有多大！你不过是在人面前承认你所信的这一位超过一切的人，是千万人中的第一人，说祂真是神的儿子。主却是在天父的面前、在神的使者面前承认你。你如果觉得在人面前承认这样的主是困难的事，那么到那一天，当主在父的荣耀里降临的时候，祂承认像你这样的人，也是何等困难的事。今天我们不要因怕人（赛五一12），而不敢不在人面前承认主。今天我们如果觉得在人面前承认永生神的儿子耶稣基督有困难，那么到有一天，当我们的主回来的时候，祂在父的面前、在众荣耀的使者面前承认我们，也要觉得困难。这是何等严肃的一件事。
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太10:32  
凡在人面前，在我里面承认我的，我在我诸天之上的父面前，也必在他里面承认他；
太10:33  
凡在人面前不认我的，我在我诸天之上的父面前，也必不认他。
路12:9  
那在人面前不认我的，人子在神的使者面前，也必否认他。
赛51:12  
惟有我是耶和华，是安慰你们的。你是谁，竟怕那必死的人，怕那要变如草的世人；
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　　事实上，我们今天承认祂一点都不难；比起祂的那一个承认来，一点都不难；祂的承认我们，倒是困难的事，因为我们是浪子回到家里，我们并没有什么好。将来祂既然肯承认我们，就我们今天在人面前也要好好的承认祂。　　但愿初信的弟兄姊妹，一开始就有胆量承认主，千万不要暗暗地作一个基督徒！
　Scripture Reading: Rom. 10:10; Prov. 29:25; Matt. 10:32-33
　
Ⅰ
　
The importance of confessing with the mouth
　Once a person has believed in the Lord, he should not keep the matter a secret; he has to confess the Lord with his mouth. Confessing the Lord with our mouth is a very important matter.
　
A
　
Opening the mouth as soon as one believes
　As soon as one believes in the Lord, he should confess the Lord before men. Suppose a person gives birth to a child. What would we think if the child could not speak by the age of one or two, or even three? Would we say only that he is slow in speech development? Is it possible for such a person to begin saying, "one, two, three, four," at the age of thirty and then learn to say "daddy" and "mommy" at fifty years of age? No. If a person is dumb in his infancy, he probably will be dumb for the rest of his life. If he cannot say "daddy" and "mommy" when he is young, he probably will not be able to say it for the rest of his life. Likewise, if a new believer does not confess the Lord immediately after he believes in the Lord, I am afraid he will be dumb for the rest of his life. If he cannot speak when he is young, he probably will not be able to speak when he grows up.
　Some have been Christians for ten or even twenty years. Yet they remain dumb. This is because they did not open their mouth during the first and second week of their Christian life. They will continue to be dumb until they die. Confessing the Lord begins at the time a person believes. If you open your mouth the day you believe in the Lord, the way of confession will be opened to you. If a person is dumb in the first weeks, months, or year, he is likely to remain dumb for the rest of his life. Therefore, as soon as a person believes in the Lord, he should endeavor to speak to others about the Lord. Even if he finds it hard to speak and even if he dislikes speaking, he still must speak. He must speak to his relatives and friends. If he does not learn to speak openly, I am afraid he will be a dumb man before God for the rest of his life. We do not wish to see dumb believers. This is why we must learn to open our mouth from the very beginning. If a person fails to do this in the beginning, he will find it more difficult to do it later. Unless God grants special mercy or there is a revival, these ones will never open their mouth. It will take a great effort for them to open their mouth at a later date. Every new believer should seek the opportunity to confess the Lord before men. Such a confession is a great matter and reaps much profit.
　
B
　
Confession with the mouth unto salvation
　Romans 10:10 says, "For with the heart there is believing unto righteousness, and with the mouth there is confession unto salvation." "With the heart there is believing unto righteousness." This is something before God. "With the mouth there is confession unto salvation." This speaks of salvation before man. Whether or not you have believed is something before God; no one can see it. If you have sincerely believed, you are justified before God. However, if you only believe in your heart, but do not speak with your mouth, others will not recognize you as a saved person; they will still consider you an unbeliever. They will not see any difference between you and them. This is why the Bible strongly stresses the need to confess with the mouth in addition to believing in the heart. We must speak with our mouth.
　Every new believer must look for opportunities to confess the Lord. Among our classmates, colleagues, friends, relatives, and all those who come into contact with us, as soon as an opportunity arises, we should say to them, "I have believed in the Lord Jesus." The sooner we open our mouth, the better it is. Once we open our mouth, others will immediately know that we have believed in the Lord Jesus. In this way, we will be delivered from the company of unbelievers.
　We have seen some people who hesitated in their acceptance of the Lord, but once they stood up and proclaimed, "I believe in Jesus," they became sure. The worst thing that can happen to a Christian is for him to keep his mouth shut. Once he speaks, he takes a firm step forward and becomes secure. Many believers hesitate initially, but as soon as they say, "I believe," they become certain.
　
C
　
Confession saving much trouble
　There is great profit when one confesses with his mouth after he has believed in his heart. It saves him much trouble in the future.
　Suppose you do not open your mouth and say, "I have decided to follow the Lord Jesus; I am His now." Others will still consider you the same as they. When they sin or indulge in lustful things, they will consider you to be one of them. In your heart you realize that you are a Christian and that it is wrong for you to be among them. But you cannot reject them, because you want to please them. You may come up with an excuse to turn them down. But the next time they will still drag you along, and you will have to think of another excuse to refuse them. You may come up with excuses once or twice, but the pressure will always come back. So why not put the signboard out from the very first day and confess that you are a believer? You only need to confess once or twice, and others will give up trying to persuade you.
　If you do not confess with your mouth, that is, if you are a Christian secretly, you will experience much more difficulty than those who are Christians openly. Your temptation will be many times greater than the temptation of those who openly confess the Lord. You will be bound by human affections and past relationships. You cannot excuse yourself from others every time by saying that you have a headache or that you are busy. You cannot use excuses every time. This is why you must declare from the first day, "I have believed in the Lord Jesus. I have accepted Him." Once you put out this signboard, your colleagues, classmates, relatives, and family will know the kind of person you are. This will save you much trouble. Otherwise, you will have all kinds of frustrations. If a person confesses the Lord with his mouth, he will be saved from much trouble.
　
D
　
Not confessing the Lord leading to accusations in the conscience
　There is another serious problem for a person who does not confess the Lord with his mouth. Many of the Lord's believers experienced this when the Lord was on the earth.
　The Lord Jesus was rejected by the Jews. They vehemently opposed and rejected Him. In John 9 the Jews made a decision: Whoever confessed Jesus to be the Christ would be put out of the synagogue (v. 22). In chapter twelve the Bible says that many Jewish rulers believed in the Lord Jesus secretly, but they dared not confess Him because they were afraid of being put out of the synagogue (v. 42). Do you think that these people had peace in their hearts? Perhaps they felt uneasy about confessing the Lord, but they felt even more uneasy about not confessing the Lord. What kind of place was the synagogue? It was a place where people opposed the Lord Jesus. They plotted, conspired, and discussed plans to trap the Lord there. Such were the dark things that went on in the synagogue. What should a genuine believer do among such people? How much strength would he need to keep his mouth shut? Under such circumstances it would be difficult for anyone to confess the Lord with his mouth, but it would be even harder for him to not confess the Lord with his mouth.
　The Jewish synagogue is a picture of the world's opposition to the Lord. The world always criticizes the Lord Jesus. It always considers Jesus of Nazareth a problem. It has all kinds of things to say against our Lord. In a place like this, can you listen to the people and pretend to be like one of them? To pretend is painful; to pretend is also difficult. You have to muster enough strength to control and repress yourself before you can pretend. Under such circumstances, is it not true that something within you will want to cry out, "This man is the Son of God; I believe in Him"? Is there not something within you that wants to proclaim, "This man is my Savior, and I have already believed in Him," or, "This man can deliver me from my sins. You may not believe in Him, but I do"? Is there not something within you that wants to make such a declaration?
　Are you going to force yourself to be quiet just because you want man's respect and position? It seems to me it would have been easier for the Jewish rulers in John 12 to simply be put out of the synagogue. They would have felt much better if they had confessed the Lord. If you are a false believer, it probably will make no difference whether or not you confess. But as a genuine believer, you will surely offend your conscience if you pretend and sympathize with the Lord's opposers. When others oppose the Lord, you have no peace in your heart, yet you must force yourself to say, "What you are saying is interesting." Is this not the most painful thing to do as a human being?
　There is nothing more painful than not confessing the Lord. The greatest suffering is to refuse to confess the Lord before men. I would not want to trade places with those rulers. Their suffering was too great! If you are not a believer, there is nothing to say. But if you have believed, the easier and more joyful and happy thing to do is come out of the synagogue. You may feel that there are many obstacles, but past experience indicates that the obstacles will be greater and your heart will suffer more if you do not go this way.
　Suppose you hear someone maliciously slander your parents, saying this and that about them. Suppose that you try to sit still and listen to them or, worse still, pretend to sympathize with them. If you do this, I would wonder what kind of a person you were. Our Lord has given His life to save us. If we do not say something for the very Lord whom we worship and serve, how much more timid are we? We must be bold to stand up and proclaim for the Lord, "I belong to Him!"
　
Ⅱ
　
Common mistakes
　
A
　
Replacing confession with good behavior
　Some new believers are influenced by traditional teachings. They think that having good behavior is the most important thing for a Christian and that confession with the mouth is not that crucial. They think that a change in what one says is not important, but that a change in what one does is important. We must correct this wrong concept. We are not saying that it is not necessary to change our conduct. If one's conduct is not changed, it is useless to confess with the mouth. But changing what one does without confessing with one's mouth is equally futile. A change in conduct can never take the place of confession with the mouth. After one's conduct is changed, his mouth still has to confess.
　Every new believer must seize the earliest opportunity to tell others about his faith in the Lord Jesus. If you do not confess with your mouth, others will make many conjectures about you. They will try to explain your behavior with speculation. They will say all kinds of things about you, but they will not touch the Lord Jesus. Therefore, you must tell them the reason for the change in your conduct. No good conduct can take the place of verbal confession. It is necessary to have good conduct, but it is equally necessary to confess with the mouth. You must tell others, "Jesus is my Lord; I want to serve Him." No matter how good your conduct is, these words must come out of your mouth.
　We have heard people say that if they have good outward conduct, there is no need for them to say anything with their mouth. Please remember that no one will bother to criticize those who say this if they fail slightly in their personal conduct. But if a man stands up to proclaim that he is a Christian, others will immediately criticize and rebuke him when there is any slip in his conduct. Hence, those who say that good conduct is enough and that there is no need to confess with the mouth are in reality giving themselves an excuse to fail in their conduct. They are leaving a back door for themselves to escape from the judgment of others. Never believe that just a change in conduct is sufficient. Confession with the mouth is needed; in fact, it is absolutely indispensable.
　
B
　
Being afraid of failing to persevere to the end
　Some people think, "If I confess with my mouth and then fail to persevere in my Christian conviction, will this not become a joke to others? Suppose I can no longer make it as a Christian after three or five years, what should I do then? It is better for me not to say anything now. Let me wait for several years, until I find out whether or not I can make it." We can tell such ones that if they do not confess because they are afraid of stumbling or failing, they will surely fail. They have already opened a back door and are trying to avoid the front door. They have already made preparations to back out of their own confession. They want to wait to have assurance before they confess. We are sure that such ones will fail. It is better to stand up and say, "I am for the Lord." If you close the back door first, it will become much harder for you to back out or backslide later. Consequently, you will have a much better chance of going forward than of sliding backward. In fact, this is the only possible way for you to go forward.
　If you want to wait until you have good behavior before you confess, your mouth will never open up. You will always be dumb. Even after you have good conduct, you will still be dumb. If you do not open your mouth at the beginning, it will be much harder to open your mouth later. If you open your mouth, the chance of having good conduct will be greater. If you want to wait until your behavior is good before you confess, you will lose both your chance of opening your mouth as well as your chance of having good behavior; both will be lost, and you will fail in both.
　One assuring thought is that God is not only the God who redeems us but also the God who preserves us. What should we liken redemption to? Redemption is like buying something. What then is preservation? Preservation is like putting the purchased object in one's own hand. How many people in this world buy things with the view of throwing them away? When we buy a watch, we want to use it for five or ten years; no one buys a watch with the view of throwing it away. God is saving people everywhere. He does not save them and then throw them away. He wants to preserve what He has saved. Since God has saved us, He will preserve us. Since God has redeemed us, He will preserve us until that day. God loves us so much that He was willing to forsake His Son to redeem us. If He had no intention of preserving us, He would not have paid such a great price. It is God's purpose as well as His plan to preserve us. Do not be afraid to stand up and say, "I believe in the Lord." You may say, "What happens if I fail in a few days?" Do not worry about this; God will be responsible for it. It is better for you to stand up and say, "I belong to God." Commit yourself to God. God knows that you need support, comfort, and protection. We have the assurance to say that God preserves man's salvation. This preservation makes redemption meaningful.
　
C
　
Fear of men
　Some people dare not confess because they are afraid of men. Many people can honestly say that they have no other reservation in their heart; they are willing to stand up and confess, but when they see the faces of others, they become afraid. When they look at their parents' faces or their friends' faces, they feel too shy to speak up. This is where many people are stumbled; they are afraid of men and do not have any boldness to open their mouth. Some people are naturally timid; they are timid not only in confessing the Lord but also in other things. If you want them to tell others about their faith, you are asking them for their life. They simply dare not open their mouth.
　However, this kind of person needs to hear what God has to say. Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man bringeth a snare." If you are afraid when you see someone, you will fall into a "snare." As soon as you become afraid, you fall into a snare. Your fear becomes your snare. Whenever your heart is afraid of men, you are creating a snare for yourself. Once you are afraid, you fall into a snare. This snare is created by your own fear. Actually, the person you fear may be very willing to listen to you. Even if he is not inclined to listen, he may not be as fearsome as you think.
　There is a story about two persons who were colleagues. One was a believer and the other was not. The one who believed was very timid; the one who did not believe was also very timid. The timid believer did not dare tell his colleague that he was saved. The one who did not believe was puzzled by the great changes that were happening to his colleague. His colleague used to have a quick temper but had now changed. He dared not ask his colleague the reason. The two of them shared a table and sat face-to-face every day. One was too timid to speak, and the other was too timid to ask. Every day they just looked at each other. One was afraid to speak, and the other was afraid to ask. One day the believer could not hold back any longer. After praying about it, he went to the other one and shook his hand tightly and said, "I am a very timid person. For at least three months I have been struggling to tell you something. Now I am going to tell you. I have believed in Jesus." After saying these words, his face turned pale. The other one said, "I too have waited for three months. I wanted to ask why you have become so different, but I was too afraid to ask." The believer mustered enough courage to open his mouth. From that time on, the opportunity opened up, and he was able to bring his friend to the Lord.
　Those who are fearful of men will fall into a snare. Please remember that while you are afraid of others, others may be afraid of you too. We must never have a fear of men. We who follow God should not fear men. If you have a fear of men, you cannot be a good Christian and you cannot serve God. A Christian must be bold to speak to his relatives and friends. He must be bold to confess the Lord both in private and in public. We must take this way from the beginning.
　
D
　
Being shy
　Some people are shy. They feel that it is a shameful thing to be a Christian. It is true that this kind of shame may exist when we face unbelievers. If you tell others that you are engaged in technical research, they will congratulate you for having a good future. If you say that you are studying a certain philosophy, others will also say that you are a thoughtful person. You are not ashamed to talk about doing many things. But if you say that you are a Christian, many will say that you are too simple-minded or not intellectual enough. They will not esteem you highly. You are not ashamed to talk about other things, but as soon as you confess your Christian faith, you feel ashamed within. It is unavoidable for a new believer to feel shameful when he opens his mouth to confess his faith. However, we must overcome this feeling. It is true that the world feels shameful about someone becoming a Christian, but we must overcome this feeling.
　How can we overcome this feeling of shame? We must deal with it from two aspects:
　On the one hand, we have to realize that when the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross, He bore our sins as well as our shame. When our Lord bore our sins, He suffered great humiliation. Today, in the eyes of God, it is only proper that we suffer humiliation from men. The humiliation we suffer before man can never be compared with the humiliation our Lord suffered on the cross for us. Therefore, we should not be surprised at humiliation. We should know that we belong to the Lord.
　On the other hand, there is a good hymn which says, "Our shyness is like the early morning sky disowning the sun! But the Lord radiates the divine light which illuminates our consciences which are as dark as the night." Since the Lord has been gracious to us and has redeemed us, being ashamed of confessing Him is like the early morning sky being ashamed of the illumination of the sun. Today the Lord has graced us. He has redeemed us and preserved us. He will even bring us to the heavens. Yet we consider it a shame to confess Him! If that is a shame, then all the grace we have received should also be considered a shame to us, and we should deny it all! The Lord has done so much for us, and yet we feel ashamed of confessing Him! How can this be?
　We should feel shameful for such things as carousing, drunkenness, unrestrained dissipation, works of darkness, sinning, and evil works. The Lord has delivered us from all these. We should feel glorious. How can we have a sense of shame? It is not shameful for us to confess the Lord; it is glorious and joyous for us to confess Him! We are those who will never perish, who will never be condemned or judged by God, and who will never have to depart from the glorious face of God. We are those who follow the Lamb and who will always be with Him (Rev. 14:4). It is altogether wrong for others to plant the seed of shame in us. We should stand up boldly and say that we belong to God. We should rejoice and glory in Him.
　By nature Peter was a strong-willed person. He wanted to distinguish himself among the disciples and to be ahead of others in everything. But one day he denied the Lord and became like a little mouse. When he was questioned, he was afraid. Humanly speaking, Peter was a "hero" and a born leader among the disciples. Yet he trembled even before others tried to take his life. He trembled and swore when all that was said to him was, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene." This was indeed too poor. All those who refuse to confess the Lord are poor. Peter was most shameful; it was a shame for him to deny the Lord (Matt. 26:69-75).
　All those who are too shy to open their mouths are full of shame. The really noble ones are the ones who confess their allegiance to Jesus of Nazareth, even at the point of being burned at the stake or thrown into the sea. They may be beaten, burned alive, or thrown into the lions' den, but they still proclaim, "I belong to Jesus the Nazarene." This is the most glorious thing in the whole world. The most shameful ones are those who are ashamed to confess the Lord. This kind of people are useless. They will even loathe themselves and be ashamed of themselves! The most shameful thing is for a person to despise himself and be ashamed of what he has.
　Therefore, we should not have any fear or shame. All those who learn to follow the Lord should learn to confess Him boldly before man. If light is shameful and darkness glorious, if holiness is shameful and sin glorious, if spirituality is shameful and carnality glorious, and if following the Lord is shameful and following man glorious, then we would rather choose shame. We would rather suffer humiliation with Christ as Moses did, which humiliation is far better than the glories of men (Heb. 11:26).
　
E
　
Love of man's glory
　Why did the rulers in John 12 not confess the Lord? They did not confess the Lord because they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God. Many people dare not confess because they want both; they want Christ, and they also want the synagogue. They want Christ; this is why they believe. But they also want the synagogue; this is why they will not confess Him. If a person wants both, he will not be absolute in either.
　If you want to serve the Lord, you must make a choice between the Lord and the synagogue. Otherwise, you can never be a good Christian. You must make a choice between the Lord and man. The rulers were afraid of losing men's favor. They were afraid that if they confessed the Lord they would be put out of the synagogue. But a person who chooses the Lord in an absolute way will not be afraid of being put out of the synagogue.
　If people do not persecute you after you have believed in the Lord, you should say, "Lord, I thank You." If people persecute you after you have confessed the Lord with your mouth, you should also say, "Lord, I thank You." What is so strange about this? We cannot be like those rulers who, for the sake of their love for the synagogue, refused to confess their faith in the Lord Jesus. If everyone in the church had been like them, there would be no church on earth today. If Peter had returned home and remained silent after he believed in the Lord, if Paul, Luke, Darby, and the rest had remained silent after they believed, and if everyone in the church had remained silent and dared not confess the Lord, their troubles definitely would have been less, but there would be no church on earth today!
　One characteristic of the church is that it dares to believe in the Lord. Another characteristic is that it dares to confess its faith in Him. To be saved is not just to believe in the Lord Jesus; it is to believe and to confess that one is a believer. The confession is important. Christianity is not only manifested in one's conduct but also in one's mouth. The mouth must confess. One must confess, "I am a Christian." It is not enough for a Christian to just have good conduct; he must also confess with his mouth. If you take away the mouth, there will be no Christianity. The Scripture is very clear. The heart believes unto righteousness and the mouth confesses unto salvation. Christianity is believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth.
　
Ⅲ
　
Confessing the Lord and the Lord's confession
　The Lord said, "Every one therefore who will confess in Me before men, I also will confess in him before My Father who is in the heavens" (Matt. 10:32). Thank the Lord that if we confess the Lord today, on that day He will also confess us. The Lord also said, "But whoever will deny Me before men, I also will deny him before My Father who is in the heavens" (v. 33). "But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God" (Luke 12:9). What a great contrast! All we have to do is confess that this excellent One, this chiefest among ten thousand, is the Son of God. He will then confess us before the heavenly Father and the angels of God. If you think it is difficult to confess such a Lord before men, the Lord will find it difficult to confess such a person as you when He descends in the glory of the Father. Today we must not shrink back from confessing the Lord through fear of men (Isa. 51:12). If today we find it difficult to confess Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, then on that day, when our Lord comes back, He will find it difficult to confess us before His Father and all the glorious angels. What a serious thing this is!
　In reality, it is not difficult for us to confess the Lord. It is especially easy when we compare our confession with His confession of us. It is difficult for Him to confess us because we are prodigal sons who have come home, and there is nothing good in us. Since He will confess us in the future, let us also confess Him well before men today.
　May all the newly-saved brothers and sisters be bold to confess the Lord from the beginning. We should never try to be Christians in secret.
 
　　读经：

　　罗马书十章十节：“因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。”

　　箴言二十九章二十五节：“惧怕人的，陷入网罗；唯有倚靠耶和华的，必得安稳。”

　　马太福音十章三十二至三十三节：“凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必认他。凡在人面前不认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必不认他。”
 
　Scripture Reading: Rom. 10:10; Prov. 29:25; Matt. 10:32-33
　　人信了主，不应当隐藏，人信了主，必须口里承认主。口里承认主，是非常紧要的一件事。
 
　Once a person has believed in the Lord, he should not keep the matter a secret; he has to confess the Lord with his mouth. Confessing the Lord with our mouth is a very important matter.
　　一个人一信主，就应当在人面前承认主。如果有人生了一个小孩子，一岁两岁都不会说话，三岁的时候还不会说话，那我们要怎么想？难道这是发音特别慢？要到了三十岁才会讲一二三四，到了五十岁才会喊爸爸妈妈？小的时候是哑巴，恐伯一辈子都是哑巴。小的时候不会喊爸爸妈妈，恐伯一辈子都不会喊。照样，如果初信的人不在信主之后立刻承认主，恐怕要终身成为哑巴。小的时候不会说话，可能长大的时候也不会说话。

　　有的人作了十年、二十年的基督徒还是哑巴，因为第一个礼拜、第二个礼拜是哑巴，就是这样哑巴到老了。承认主是在初信的时候就开始的。一信主就开始，以后承认的路就打通了。如果一个人在头几个礼拜、头几个月、头一年是哑巴，他可能会哑巴一辈子。所以人一信主，就得尽力的去向人说到主。即使觉得不容易说，不欢喜在人面前说，也得说。总得在你亲戚朋友面前说。如果不学习公开的说，恐伯要一辈子在神面前成为一个哑巴。我们不盼望有哑巴的信徒，所以，我们必须在一起头的时候，就学习开口。在起头如果不行，后来就难得有行的，除非神有特别的怜悯，有复兴，他才会开口，可是那一个相当费事。所以初信的人总要寻找机会承认主。这一个承认是大事。这一个承认对于他大有益处。
 
　As soon as one believes in the Lord, he should confess the Lord before men. Suppose a person gives birth to a child. What would we think if the child could not speak by the age of one or two, or even three? Would we say only that he is slow in speech development? Is it possible for such a person to begin saying, "one, two, three, four," at the age of thirty and then learn to say "daddy" and "mommy" at fifty years of age? No. If a person is dumb in his infancy, he probably will be dumb for the rest of his life. If he cannot say "daddy" and "mommy" when he is young, he probably will not be able to say it for the rest of his life. Likewise, if a new believer does not confess the Lord immediately after he believes in the Lord, I am afraid he will be dumb for the rest of his life. If he cannot speak when he is young, he probably will not be able to speak when he grows up.

　Some have been Christians for ten or even twenty years. Yet they remain dumb. This is because they did not open their mouth during the first and second week of their Christian life. They will continue to be dumb until they die. Confessing the Lord begins at the time a person believes. If you open your mouth the day you believe in the Lord, the way of confession will be opened to you. If a person is dumb in the first weeks, months, or year, he is likely to remain dumb for the rest of his life. Therefore, as soon as a person believes in the Lord, he should endeavor to speak to others about the Lord. Even if he finds it hard to speak and even if he dislikes speaking, he still must speak. He must speak to his relatives and friends. If he does not learn to speak openly, I am afraid he will be a dumb man before God for the rest of his life. We do not wish to see dumb believers. This is why we must learn to open our mouth from the very beginning. If a person fails to do this in the beginning, he will find it more difficult to do it later. Unless God grants special mercy or there is a revival, these ones will never open their mouth. It will take a great effort for them to open their mouth at a later date. Every new believer should seek the opportunity to confess the Lord before men. Such a confession is a great matter and reaps much profit.
　　罗马书十章十节：“因为人心里相信，就可以称义；口里承认，就可以得救。”人如果心里相信，就可以称义，这是在神面前的事。口里承认，就可以得救，这是讲到在人面前的得救的问题。你信也罢，你不信也罢，这是在神面前的事，谁也看不见。你如果真的信，你在神面前就能够称义。可是，你心里信了，口里不说，人就不承认你是一个得救的人，人还把你算作不信的人，他们没有看见你和他们有什么分别。所以在圣经中很着重的对我们说，心里相信还不壳，还必须口里承认，必须用口说出来。

　　所以，初信的人总得寻找机会承认主。你必须在接触到的人中间，不管是同学也好，是同事也好，是亲戚也好，是朋友也好，总是一有机会，就对他们说，“我信了主耶稣。”越快开口越好。你一开口，他们马上清楚知道你是信耶稣了。这样你就得救，你就从不信的中间得救出来了。

　　我们曾看见有的人信主，起初是犹豫不决的，但是等到他站起来说“我信了耶稣，”就决定了。基督徒就怕不说，他如果一说出来，这一步一踏上去，就定了。许多人信主，起初的时候，也许还在那里摇幌不定，那知一说“我信”就牢靠了。
 
　Romans 10:10 says, "For with the heart there is believing unto righteousness, and with the mouth there is confession unto salvation." "With the heart there is believing unto righteousness." This is something before God. "With the mouth there is confession unto salvation." This speaks of salvation before man. Whether or not you have believed is something before God; no one can see it. If you have sincerely believed, you are justified before God. However, if you only believe in your heart, but do not speak with your mouth, others will not recognize you as a saved person; they will still consider you an unbeliever. They will not see any difference between you and them. This is why the Bible strongly stresses the need to confess with the mouth in addition to believing in the heart. We must speak with our mouth.

　Every new believer must look for opportunities to confess the Lord. Among our classmates, colleagues, friends, relatives, and all those who come into contact with us, as soon as an opportunity arises, we should say to them, "I have believed in the Lord Jesus." The sooner we open our mouth, the better it is. Once we open our mouth, others will immediately know that we have believed in the Lord Jesus. In this way, we will be delivered from the company of unbelievers.

　We have seen some people who hesitated in their acceptance of the Lord, but once they stood up and proclaimed, "I believe in Jesus," they became sure. The worst thing that can happen to a Christian is for him to keep his mouth shut. Once he speaks, he takes a firm step forward and becomes secure. Many believers hesitate initially, but as soon as they say, "I believe," they become certain.
　　你心里相信，口里承认之后，就会得到很大的益处。这一个能使你省去将来许许多多的麻烦。

　　你如果不开口说，“我已经跟从了主耶稣，我已经是属乎主的人；”无论如何，别人看你是和他们一样的人，结果，他们一有犯罪的事，一有情欲的事，就要把你算作他们中间的一分子。虽然你心里觉得你是一个基督徒，不好和他们混在一起，但是你又不能拒绝他们，你要讨他们的喜欢。你想出一个理由来拒绝，也许给你拒绝了。下一次，他们还是来拉你，你又得想出一个理由来推辞。你一次两次用理由、想法子拒绝，但是事情总不能过去。倒不如头一天就把牌子挂出去，承认你是信主的人。只要你一两次的承认，别人就不大会来勉强你。

　　如果不开口承认，如果暗暗地在那里作基督徒，那一个难处，比明显的作基督徒不知道要加多少倍；那一个试探，比明显的作基督徒也不知道要加多少倍。人情的捆绑，已往关系的捆绑，你没有法子脱离。你不能每一次都推说头痛，都推说事忙，你不能次次用理由去推。所以，你第一天就得宣布说，“我已经相信了主耶稣，我已经接受了主耶稣。”你这个牌子一挂出去，你的同事、你的同学、你的亲戚、你的家属，都知道你这一个人是这样的，你就省去了许多麻头。如果不是这样，就这些麻烦不知道要有多少。所以，一个人如果能开口承认我们的主，这一个人就能够省去许多麻烦。
 
　There is great profit when one confesses with his mouth after he has believed in his heart. It saves him much trouble in the future.

　Suppose you do not open your mouth and say, "I have decided to follow the Lord Jesus; I am His now." Others will still consider you the same as they. When they sin or indulge in lustful things, they will consider you to be one of them. In your heart you realize that you are a Christian and that it is wrong for you to be among them. But you cannot reject them, because you want to please them. You may come up with an excuse to turn them down. But the next time they will still drag you along, and you will have to think of another excuse to refuse them. You may come up with excuses once or twice, but the pressure will always come back. So why not put the signboard out from the very first day and confess that you are a believer? You only need to confess once or twice, and others will give up trying to persuade you.

　If you do not confess with your mouth, that is, if you are a Christian secretly, you will experience much more difficulty than those who are Christians openly. Your temptation will be many times greater than the temptation of those who openly confess the Lord. You will be bound by human affections and past relationships. You cannot excuse yourself from others every time by saying that you have a headache or that you are busy. You cannot use excuses every time. This is why you must declare from the first day, "I have believed in the Lord Jesus. I have accepted Him." Once you put out this signboard, your colleagues, classmates, relatives, and family will know the kind of person you are. This will save you much trouble. Otherwise, you will have all kinds of frustrations. If a person confesses the Lord with his mouth, he will be saved from much trouble.
　　人如果不开口承认主，还有一个很大的困难。这一个困难，是当主在地上的时候，许多相信主的人所经历过的。

　　主耶稣在犹太人中是被拒绝的。犹太人拒绝主耶稣，拒绝得顶厉害；反对主耶稣，也反对得顶厉害。在约翰九章，我们看见犹太人定规了一件事，就是谁承认耶稣是弥赛亚，就把谁赶出会堂（22）。到了第十二章，圣经又记载说，有许多犹太官长，偷偷的相信了主耶稣，只因怕人把他们赶出会堂，就不敢承认（42）。我们想，这几个人心里舒服不舒服？承认主也许不舒服，但如果不承认主，要更不舒服。犹太人的会堂是什么地方？是反对主耶稣的地方。他们在那里有阴谋，有诡计，商量挖陷阱来陷害主。他们都是在那里预备这些不正当地事。一个真正信主耶稣的人，坐在那里怎么办？他要有多大的力量才能管住他自己不开口？这个时候，他要开口承认主是有点难，但是他要不开口承认主，他就觉得更难。

　　犹太人会堂的情形，就是代表世人反对主的情形。人对于主耶稣，总是在那里为难，总是在那里觉得说，这一个拿撒勒人耶稣，是他们的难处，他们有各种各样的话，在那里反对我们的主。在这一种情形之下，你能在那里听他们，而在外面装着说，你是和他们一样的人？装假是痛苦的，装假是壳难的，你要用力量管住你自己，勉强你自己。你在这样的情形之下，难道没有一点意思要说，“这一个人是神的儿子，我要信祂；”难道你没有一点意思要说，“这一个人是我的救主，我已经相信了；”难道你没有一点意思要说，“这一个人能救我脱离罪恶，你们不相信，我要相信；”难道你没有一点意思要说这样的话么？

　　请问，难道你能因着要得人间的尊敬，要得人间的地位，就在那里勉强的把你自己的口封住么？我们曾想到，约翰十二章的那几个官长，还是被赶出会堂的好，还是承认主痛快得多。如果你是假信，那无所谓；如果你是真信主，又要假冒说，你与反对主的人是表同情的，那你里面的良心必定有控告。他们在那里反对主的时候，你心里觉得不平安，而你口里却要说“这是很有趣的事，”这岂不是为人最痛苦的一件事！

　　不承认主是一件最痛苦的事。在人面前不承认出来，这是最难受的。那几个官长的地位，如果要和我们对调，我们宁可不要。他们太难受了！你如果不信，那没有话说；你真的信了，就从会堂里出来，那倒是舒服的事，那倒是可喜可乐的事。你也许觉得有难处，但是我们可以凭着已往的经历告诉你，如果你不这样作，你的难处还要大，你的心还要难受。

　　引一个比喻：如果你听见有人在那里恶意毁谤你的父母，说你的父母是怎样怎样的人，而你还能坐在那里听，不只，你还装作和他们表同情；请问，你这一个人是什么人？何况我们的主舍了命，救了你，你能不说一句话，为着你所敬拜的、你所事奉的主么？如果是这样，你这一个人就没有多大用处。人总得有胆量站起来，为着主承认说，“我是一个属乎主的人！”
 
　There is another serious problem for a person who does not confess the Lord with his mouth. Many of the Lord's believers experienced this when the Lord was on the earth.

　The Lord Jesus was rejected by the Jews. They vehemently opposed and rejected Him. In John 9 the Jews made a decision: Whoever confessed Jesus to be the Christ would be put out of the synagogue (v. 22). In chapter twelve the Bible says that many Jewish rulers believed in the Lord Jesus secretly, but they dared not confess Him because they were afraid of being put out of the synagogue (v. 42). Do you think that these people had peace in their hearts? Perhaps they felt uneasy about confessing the Lord, but they felt even more uneasy about not confessing the Lord. What kind of place was the synagogue? It was a place where people opposed the Lord Jesus. They plotted, conspired, and discussed plans to trap the Lord there. Such were the dark things that went on in the synagogue. What should a genuine believer do among such people? How much strength would he need to keep his mouth shut? Under such circumstances it would be difficult for anyone to confess the Lord with his mouth, but it would be even harder for him to not confess the Lord with his mouth.

　The Jewish synagogue is a picture of the world's opposition to the Lord. The world always criticizes the Lord Jesus. It always considers Jesus of Nazareth a problem. It has all kinds of things to say against our Lord. In a place like this, can you listen to the people and pretend to be like one of them? To pretend is painful; to pretend is also difficult. You have to muster enough strength to control and repress yourself before you can pretend. Under such circumstances, is it not true that something within you will want to cry out, "This man is the Son of God; I believe in Him"? Is there not something within you that wants to proclaim, "This man is my Savior, and I have already believed in Him," or, "This man can deliver me from my sins. You may not believe in Him, but I do"? Is there not something within you that wants to make such a declaration?

　Are you going to force yourself to be quiet just because you want man's respect and position? It seems to me it would have been easier for the Jewish rulers in John 12 to simply be put out of the synagogue. They would have felt much better if they had confessed the Lord. If you are a false believer, it probably will make no difference whether or not you confess. But as a genuine believer, you will surely offend your conscience if you pretend and sympathize with the Lord's opposers. When others oppose the Lord, you have no peace in your heart, yet you must force yourself to say, "What you are saying is interesting." Is this not the most painful thing to do as a human being?

　There is nothing more painful than not confessing the Lord. The greatest suffering is to refuse to confess the Lord before men. I would not want to trade places with those rulers. Their suffering was too great! If you are not a believer, there is nothing to say. But if you have believed, the easier and more joyful and happy thing to do is come out of the synagogue. You may feel that there are many obstacles, but past experience indicates that the obstacles will be greater and your heart will suffer more if you do not go this way.

　Suppose you hear someone maliciously slander your parents, saying this and that about them. Suppose that you try to sit still and listen to them or, worse still, pretend to sympathize with them. If you do this, I would wonder what kind of a person you were. Our Lord has given His life to save us. If we do not say something for the very Lord whom we worship and serve, how much more timid are we? We must be bold to stand up and proclaim for the Lord, "I belong to Him!"
　　有的初信的人，受了人遗传的教训，他们常常有一个错误，以为说，我这一个人应当有好的行为，这是要紧的；口里承认不承认不要紧。口里改变没有用，最要紧的是行为改变。这种错误的想法，我们要纠正。我们不是说行为不必改变。如果行为不改变，口说当然没有用。但是行为改变了，口不说也没有用。一个人行为的改变，绝不能代替口的承认。行为改变了，口还得承认。

　　每一个初信的人，总得在最早的机会里向人表示说，“我已经相信了主耶稣。”你如果口里不说，别人对于你会有许多的猜想，他们可以用哲学的方法来解释你的行为。他们各种的说法都说了，就是摸不着主耶稣。所以，你应当告诉他们，你的行为改变到底是什么原因。好行为不能代替口里的承认；好行为是应当有，口里的承认也应当有。总得对人说，“耶稣是我的主，我要事奉祂。”不管你的行为多好，这些话总得说出来。

　　我们曾听见有些人说，人如果外面的行为好，就可以不开口。请记得，凡说这样话的人，如果行为不好一点，谁也不会去说他。但是如果你站起来承认说“我是基督徒，”那你的行为一不好，就会有人来说话，马上有人责备你。只要行为好而不要口里承认主的，乃是留下机会叫他的行为不好，乃是留下机会叫他自己逃避人的责备。所以千万不要相信说，行为改了就行。口里的承认，绝对不可少。开口承认，是绝对应该作的事。
 
　Some new believers are influenced by traditional teachings. They think that having good behavior is the most important thing for a Christian and that confession with the mouth is not that crucial. They think that a change in what one says is not important, but that a change in what one does is important. We must correct this wrong concept. We are not saying that it is not necessary to change our conduct. If one's conduct is not changed, it is useless to confess with the mouth. But changing what one does without confessing with one's mouth is equally futile. A change in conduct can never take the place of confession with the mouth. After one's conduct is changed, his mouth still has to confess.

　Every new believer must seize the earliest opportunity to tell others about his faith in the Lord Jesus. If you do not confess with your mouth, others will make many conjectures about you. They will try to explain your behavior with speculation. They will say all kinds of things about you, but they will not touch the Lord Jesus. Therefore, you must tell them the reason for the change in your conduct. No good conduct can take the place of verbal confession. It is necessary to have good conduct, but it is equally necessary to confess with the mouth. You must tell others, "Jesus is my Lord; I want to serve Him." No matter how good your conduct is, these words must come out of your mouth.

　We have heard people say that if they have good outward conduct, there is no need for them to say anything with their mouth. Please remember that no one will bother to criticize those who say this if they fail slightly in their personal conduct. But if a man stands up to proclaim that he is a Christian, others will immediately criticize and rebuke him when there is any slip in his conduct. Hence, those who say that good conduct is enough and that there is no need to confess with the mouth are in reality giving themselves an excuse to fail in their conduct. They are leaving a back door for themselves to escape from the judgment of others. Never believe that just a change in conduct is sufficient. Confession with the mouth is needed; in fact, it is absolutely indispensable.
　　有的人要想：“我口里一承认，如果我基督徒作不到底，岂不是要闹笑话么？也许过了三年五年，基督徒作不好了，那怎么办？所以，还是不说的好。等我过了几年，行了再说吧！”我们可以对他说，你如果怕行为不行，怕跌倒，就不承认，我们有把握的说，你必定跌倒。因为你把后门开着，不想走大门。因为你先预备好不承认，要等你靠得住了再承认。我们相当有把握的说，你必定要跌倒。倒不如你站起来说，“我是主的人。”你先把后门堵住，以后要想退后跌倒，也不容易了。这样，你往前进的机会要比往后退的机会多得多，你才有往前进的可能。

　　你如果想等到行为好了才开口，那你的口就一辈子都开不起来。你一辈子都是哑巴；行为好了，还是哑巴。起头的时候不开口，这一个口就不容易开。你如果开口，你行为好的机会多得多。如果要等到行为好了才开口，开口的机会就没有，行为好的机会也没有，两个都不行，两个都没有。

　　有一件事可以安慰我们的，就是神不只是拯救我们的神，神也是保守我们的神。拯救好像什么？拯救好像把一件东西买回来。保守好像什么？保守好像把那一件东西摆在他自己手里。请问，世界上有几个人买东西是预备丢掉的？我们把一只表买回来，是想用它五年十年，不是买了回来就丢掉。神到处救人，祂不是要救一个丢一个，乃是要保守。神救了我们，就要保守我们。神把我们救回来，就要保守我们到那一天。神爱你到一个地步，肯舍弃祂的儿子拯救你回来。祂如果不保守你，就不会出这么大的代价。保守你，是神的旨意；保守你，是神的计划。你不要怕站起来说了“我是信主的，”过几天不行了，怎么办？请你不要自己挂虑，这个让神来负责好了。你还是简简单单的站起来说，“我是属神的。”你把你自己交托给神，神知道你这一个人需要扶持、安慰或者保守。我们有把握说，神必定保守人的得救；因为有保守，救赎才有意义。
 
　Some people think, "If I confess with my mouth and then fail to persevere in my Christian conviction, will this not become a joke to others? Suppose I can no longer make it as a Christian after three or five years, what should I do then? It is better for me not to say anything now. Let me wait for several years, until I find out whether or not I can make it." We can tell such ones that if they do not confess because they are afraid of stumbling or failing, they will surely fail. They have already opened a back door and are trying to avoid the front door. They have already made preparations to back out of their own confession. They want to wait to have assurance before they confess. We are sure that such ones will fail. It is better to stand up and say, "I am for the Lord." If you close the back door first, it will become much harder for you to back out or backslide later. Consequently, you will have a much better chance of going forward than of sliding backward. In fact, this is the only possible way for you to go forward.

　If you want to wait until you have good behavior before you confess, your mouth will never open up. You will always be dumb. Even after you have good conduct, you will still be dumb. If you do not open your mouth at the beginning, it will be much harder to open your mouth later. If you open your mouth, the chance of having good conduct will be greater. If you want to wait until your behavior is good before you confess, you will lose both your chance of opening your mouth as well as your chance of having good behavior; both will be lost, and you will fail in both.

　One assuring thought is that God is not only the God who redeems us but also the God who preserves us. What should we liken redemption to? Redemption is like buying something. What then is preservation? Preservation is like putting the purchased object in one's own hand. How many people in this world buy things with the view of throwing them away? When we buy a watch, we want to use it for five or ten years; no one buys a watch with the view of throwing it away. God is saving people everywhere. He does not save them and then throw them away. He wants to preserve what He has saved. Since God has saved us, He will preserve us. Since God has redeemed us, He will preserve us until that day. God loves us so much that He was willing to forsake His Son to redeem us. If He had no intention of preserving us, He would not have paid such a great price. It is God's purpose as well as His plan to preserve us. Do not be afraid to stand up and say, "I believe in the Lord." You may say, "What happens if I fail in a few days?" Do not worry about this; God will be responsible for it. It is better for you to stand up and say, "I belong to God." Commit yourself to God. God knows that you need support, comfort, and protection. We have the assurance to say that God preserves man's salvation. This preservation makes redemption meaningful.
三
　
怕人
　　有的人不敢承认，乃是因为怕人。有许多人的的确确心里没有别的意思，他很乐意站起来承认，可是他把别人的面孔看一看，就不敢说了。把父母的脸看一看，就觉得不大好说；把朋友的脸看一看，就觉得不大好说。许多人就在这里碰着难处，就是怕人，没有胆量开口。他本来就是胆怯的人，不只对于信主的事情胆怯。你要他在人面前表示说“我是信主的人，”真像要他的命，他就是不敢开口。

　　但是，这样的人要听神的话。箴言二十九章二十五节：“惧怕人的，陷入网罗。”看见人就怕的，就“陷入网罗”。你在那里怕，就在那里陷入网罗。你的那一个怕，就是你的网罗。你把怕人的心放在那里，就造成了一个网罗。你怕，你就落到网罗里。这一个网罗，就是你自己的怕所造成出来的。其实，你所怕的那一个人，也许他很欢喜听也难说；即使他不欢喜听，也不一定像你所想的那样可怕。

　　有一个故事，大意是这样：有两个人，是同事。一个信主了，一个没有信主。信主的那一个胆子非常小；没有信主的那一个，胆子也非常小。信主的那一个因胆子小，不敢向那一个同事说，我已经得救了。还没有信主的那一个人，看见他这个同事大有改变，从前脾气很急的，现在变作不急了，因此心里觉得很希奇，但是不敢问他是什么原因。他们两个共用一张桌子，天天面对面的坐着。但是，一个怕得很，不敢说；一个怕得很，不敢问。每天总是你看看我，我看看你。一个不敢问，一个不敢告诉。到了有一天，信主的那一个，实在受不住了，他就好好的祷告过，然后到那一个人面前去，手握得紧紧的对他说，“我这一个人胆子小得很，至少有三个月的工夫不敢告诉你，我现在告诉你，我已经相信了耶稣。”他说了这话，面孔都发青了。那一个人说，“我也有三个月的工夫，要问你为什么和从前不一样，却不敢问。”他壮起胆开了口，从此就有机会带他的朋友来认识主了。

　　怕人的人，陷入网罗。请记得，你在那里怕他，也许他也在那里怕你。所以我们绝对不应该有怕人的心。我们跟从神的人，不应当作一个怕人的人。存怕人的心，就不能作一个好基督徒，就不能事奉神。基督徒必须有胆量告诉亲戚朋友，必须有胆量在私人面前，在公众面前，承认主是谁。从起头，我们就得走在这条路上。
 
　Some people dare not confess because they are afraid of men. Many people can honestly say that they have no other reservation in their heart; they are willing to stand up and confess, but when they see the faces of others, they become afraid. When they look at their parents' faces or their friends' faces, they feel too shy to speak up. This is where many people are stumbled; they are afraid of men and do not have any boldness to open their mouth. Some people are naturally timid; they are timid not only in confessing the Lord but also in other things. If you want them to tell others about their faith, you are asking them for their life. They simply dare not open their mouth.

　However, this kind of person needs to hear what God has to say. Proverbs 29:25 says, "The fear of man bringeth a snare." If you are afraid when you see someone, you will fall into a "snare." As soon as you become afraid, you fall into a snare. Your fear becomes your snare. Whenever your heart is afraid of men, you are creating a snare for yourself. Once you are afraid, you fall into a snare. This snare is created by your own fear. Actually, the person you fear may be very willing to listen to you. Even if he is not inclined to listen, he may not be as fearsome as you think.

　There is a story about two persons who were colleagues. One was a believer and the other was not. The one who believed was very timid; the one who did not believe was also very timid. The timid believer did not dare tell his colleague that he was saved. The one who did not believe was puzzled by the great changes that were happening to his colleague. His colleague used to have a quick temper but had now changed. He dared not ask his colleague the reason. The two of them shared a table and sat face-to-face every day. One was too timid to speak, and the other was too timid to ask. Every day they just looked at each other. One was afraid to speak, and the other was afraid to ask. One day the believer could not hold back any longer. After praying about it, he went to the other one and shook his hand tightly and said, "I am a very timid person. For at least three months I have been struggling to tell you something. Now I am going to tell you. I have believed in Jesus." After saying these words, his face turned pale. The other one said, "I too have waited for three months. I wanted to ask why you have become so different, but I was too afraid to ask." The believer mustered enough courage to open his mouth. From that time on, the opportunity opened up, and he was able to bring his friend to the Lord.

　Those who are fearful of men will fall into a snare. Please remember that while you are afraid of others, others may be afraid of you too. We must never have a fear of men. We who follow God should not fear men. If you have a fear of men, you cannot be a good Christian and you cannot serve God. A Christian must be bold to speak to his relatives and friends. He must be bold to confess the Lord both in private and in public. We must take this way from the beginning.
四
　
怕羞
　　还有的人是因为怕羞。他觉得作基督徒有羞耻。在不信的人面前，的确有这个味道。今天如果你说你在研究什么技术，别人就会说你是有前途的人。如果你说你在研究什么哲学，别人也会说你是有思想的人。你说作别的事，都不会觉得羞耻。但是，你说你是基督徒，那就必定有许多人要说你的学问不行，思想不行，要觉得你这一个人没有多大用处。在任何的时候，你说别的不觉得有羞耻，但一承认是基督徒，就觉得有羞耻在里面。所以，初信的人一开口说自己是基督徒，就不免有羞耻的感觉。可是我们必须把这种感觉打破。不错，人是觉得作基督徒可羞；但是，我们必须打破这一个感觉。

　　我们怎样才能打破这种羞耻的感觉呢？我们要从两方面来看：

　　一方面，主耶稣挂在十字架上的时候，祂担当了我们的罪，也担当了我们的羞耻。我们的主，担当我们的罪的时候，祂受了极大的羞辱。今天我们在神面前，如果也受了人的羞辱，那是应该的事。我们今天为着主在人面前所受的羞辱，远赶不上主在十字架上为着我们所受的羞辱。所以，就是有羞辱，也应该一点不希奇。我们应该知道我们是属乎主的。

　　另一面，有一首诗相当好，它说，“因你害羞！同时旭朝也可面红不认太阳！是你放射神圣光照，照明我的如夜天良。”（“诗歌”增订暂编本第三五五首第三节）如果主恩待我们，主拯救我们，我们能够以承认祂为羞耻的话，那么旭朝也能够以承认使它光明的太阳为羞耻了。今天主恩待了你，主拯救了你，主扶持了你，主要把你领到天上去，而你竟以承认祂为羞耻，那就所有的恩典都是可羞耻的，就可以都不承认了！主在你身上作了这么多的事，你还以承认主为可羞耻的么？没有那个可能。

　　事实上应当觉得羞耻的，是荒宴醉酒、放荡无度、行事暗昧、犯罪作恶。主救我们脱离了这些我们应当觉得荣耀才对，怎么可以有羞耻的感觉呢？我们承认主的人，不是羞耻的；承认主的人，是可荣耀可喜乐的！我们乃是永远不沉沦、不被神定罪、不受审判、不至永远离开神荣耀的脸面的人。我们是跟随羔羊的人，我们是与羔羊永远在一起的人（启十四4）。人把羞耻的观念加在我们身上，是完全不对的。我们应当很勇敢的站起来说，我们是属乎神的，我们是可荣耀可喜乐的。

　　彼得平生是一个相当好强的人，在门徒中间什么事情都想出人头地，什么事情都想走在别人的前面。但是有一天，彼得因着不承认主，就像一只小鼠一样，被人一问，就胆怯。按人看，彼得生平是个好汉，是门徒中的领袖；但是，别人还没有说要他的命，他就怕了；别人只说一句“这个人也是同拿撒勒人耶稣一伙的”，他就发抖了，就在人面前起誓了。这真是不像样子。所有的不承认，都是不像样子的。彼得在那里是最羞耻的，彼得的不承认是最羞耻的（太二六69~75）。

　　一切没有胆量开口的人，都是羞耻的人。真的荣耀的人，即使烧在火里，浸在水里，也要承认说，“我是拿撒勒人耶稣的人！”被人鞭打，被丢在火里，被扔在狮子洞里，还是说“我是拿撒勒人耶稣的人，”这是全世界最荣耀的事。最羞耻的，就是以承认主为羞耻的人。这样的人没有用处。连他自己都得恨恶自己说，这是何等羞耻！自己轻看自己，自己把自己所有的当作可耻的，这是最可耻的。

　　所以，惧怕是错的，是不应该的；羞耻也是错的，也是不应该的。所有学习跟从主的人，都应当学习勇敢的在人面前承认主。如果光明是羞耻的，黑暗是荣耀的；如果圣洁是羞耻的，犯罪是荣耀的；如果属灵的是羞耻的，属肉体的是荣耀的；如果跟从主是羞耻的，跟从人是荣耀的；那我们宁可拣选羞耻，我们宁可与基督一同受羞辱，像摩西一样，胜于在人中间得着荣耀（来十一26）。
 
　Some people are shy. They feel that it is a shameful thing to be a Christian. It is true that this kind of shame may exist when we face unbelievers. If you tell others that you are engaged in technical research, they will congratulate you for having a good future. If you say that you are studying a certain philosophy, others will also say that you are a thoughtful person. You are not ashamed to talk about doing many things. But if you say that you are a Christian, many will say that you are too simple-minded or not intellectual enough. They will not esteem you highly. You are not ashamed to talk about other things, but as soon as you confess your Christian faith, you feel ashamed within. It is unavoidable for a new believer to feel shameful when he opens his mouth to confess his faith. However, we must overcome this feeling. It is true that the world feels shameful about someone becoming a Christian, but we must overcome this feeling.

　How can we overcome this feeling of shame? We must deal with it from two aspects:

　On the one hand, we have to realize that when the Lord Jesus was crucified on the cross, He bore our sins as well as our shame. When our Lord bore our sins, He suffered great humiliation. Today, in the eyes of God, it is only proper that we suffer humiliation from men. The humiliation we suffer before man can never be compared with the humiliation our Lord suffered on the cross for us. Therefore, we should not be surprised at humiliation. We should know that we belong to the Lord.

　On the other hand, there is a good hymn which says, "Our shyness is like the early morning sky disowning the sun! But the Lord radiates the divine light which illuminates our consciences which are as dark as the night." Since the Lord has been gracious to us and has redeemed us, being ashamed of confessing Him is like the early morning sky being ashamed of the illumination of the sun. Today the Lord has graced us. He has redeemed us and preserved us. He will even bring us to the heavens. Yet we consider it a shame to confess Him! If that is a shame, then all the grace we have received should also be considered a shame to us, and we should deny it all! The Lord has done so much for us, and yet we feel ashamed of confessing Him! How can this be?

　We should feel shameful for such things as carousing, drunkenness, unrestrained dissipation, works of darkness, sinning, and evil works. The Lord has delivered us from all these. We should feel glorious. How can we have a sense of shame? It is not shameful for us to confess the Lord; it is glorious and joyous for us to confess Him! We are those who will never perish, who will never be condemned or judged by God, and who will never have to depart from the glorious face of God. We are those who follow the Lamb and who will always be with Him (Rev. 14:4). It is altogether wrong for others to plant the seed of shame in us. We should stand up boldly and say that we belong to God. We should rejoice and glory in Him.

　By nature Peter was a strong-willed person. He wanted to distinguish himself among the disciples and to be ahead of others in everything. But one day he denied the Lord and became like a little mouse. When he was questioned, he was afraid. Humanly speaking, Peter was a "hero" and a born leader among the disciples. Yet he trembled even before others tried to take his life. He trembled and swore when all that was said to him was, "This man was with Jesus the Nazarene." This was indeed too poor. All those who refuse to confess the Lord are poor. Peter was most shameful; it was a shame for him to deny the Lord (Matt. 26:69-75).

　All those who are too shy to open their mouths are full of shame. The really noble ones are the ones who confess their allegiance to Jesus of Nazareth, even at the point of being burned at the stake or thrown into the sea. They may be beaten, burned alive, or thrown into the lions' den, but they still proclaim, "I belong to Jesus the Nazarene." This is the most glorious thing in the whole world. The most shameful ones are those who are ashamed to confess the Lord. This kind of people are useless. They will even loathe themselves and be ashamed of themselves! The most shameful thing is for a person to despise himself and be ashamed of what he has.

　Therefore, we should not have any fear or shame. All those who learn to follow the Lord should learn to confess Him boldly before man. If light is shameful and darkness glorious, if holiness is shameful and sin glorious, if spirituality is shameful and carnality glorious, and if following the Lord is shameful and following man glorious, then we would rather choose shame. We would rather suffer humiliation with Christ as Moses did, which humiliation is far better than the glories of men (Heb. 11:26).
　　约翰十二章所说的那些官长，为什么不承认主？因为他们贪求人的荣耀，过于神的荣耀。许多人不敢承认，是因为他们两个都要，要基督，也要会堂。我要基督，我信主；我也要会堂，我不承认主。两边都要，就不绝对。

　　你必须看见，你如果要学习事奉主，就得在主和会堂中间挑选一个。不然的话，你永远不能作一个好基督徒。你总得在主和人中间选出一条路来。那些官长，就是怕失去人的交情，就是害怕如果一承认主耶稣，就要从会堂中被赶出去。但是一个绝对拣选主的人，就不怕从会堂里被赶出来。

　　如果你信了主之后，别人不来逼迫你，你该说，“主，我感谢你。”如果你信了主之后，口里承认之后，有人逼迫你，你也该说，“主，我感谢你。”这有什么希奇！我们不能像那几个官长，对会堂有一点舍不得，就不开口，就不承认自己是相信主耶稣的人。教会里的人如果都像他们那样，今天在地上就没有教会。如果当初彼得相信主的时候，也是回家去一声不响；如果保罗、路德、达秘等人信了主，也都是一声不响；如果教会里的人都是一声不响，不敢承认主；那么，他们的麻烦的确是减少了，但是今天在地上就没有教会了！

　　教会有一个特点，就是敢相信主；教会还有一个特点，就是敢承认是相信主的。得救，不只是你相信主耶稣；得救，是你相信了，并且承认你是相信主的。这一个承认是要紧的。基督教不只是在行为上，基督教也是在口里，口非说不行。你总得说出来：“我是一个基督徒。”基督徒光是行为好不算数，还要用口说出来才能算数。把口除去，就没有基督教。圣经的话壳清楚：心里相信就称义，口里承认就得救。基督教就是这一个心里的相信和口里的承认。
 
　Why did the rulers in John 12 not confess the Lord? They did not confess the Lord because they loved the glory of men more than the glory of God. Many people dare not confess because they want both; they want Christ, and they also want the synagogue. They want Christ; this is why they believe. But they also want the synagogue; this is why they will not confess Him. If a person wants both, he will not be absolute in either.

　If you want to serve the Lord, you must make a choice between the Lord and the synagogue. Otherwise, you can never be a good Christian. You must make a choice between the Lord and man. The rulers were afraid of losing men's favor. They were afraid that if they confessed the Lord they would be put out of the synagogue. But a person who chooses the Lord in an absolute way will not be afraid of being put out of the synagogue.

　If people do not persecute you after you have believed in the Lord, you should say, "Lord, I thank You." If people persecute you after you have confessed the Lord with your mouth, you should also say, "Lord, I thank You." What is so strange about this? We cannot be like those rulers who, for the sake of their love for the synagogue, refused to confess their faith in the Lord Jesus. If everyone in the church had been like them, there would be no church on earth today. If Peter had returned home and remained silent after he believed in the Lord, if Paul, Luke, Darby, and the rest had remained silent after they believed, and if everyone in the church had remained silent and dared not confess the Lord, their troubles definitely would have been less, but there would be no church on earth today!

　One characteristic of the church is that it dares to believe in the Lord. Another characteristic is that it dares to confess its faith in Him. To be saved is not just to believe in the Lord Jesus; it is to believe and to confess that one is a believer. The confession is important. Christianity is not only manifested in one's conduct but also in one's mouth. The mouth must confess. One must confess, "I am a Christian." It is not enough for a Christian to just have good conduct; he must also confess with his mouth. If you take away the mouth, there will be no Christianity. The Scripture is very clear. The heart believes unto righteousness and the mouth confesses unto salvation. Christianity is believing in the heart and confessing with the mouth.
　　主说，“凡在人面前认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必认他。”（太十32）感谢主，今天我们承认主，将来主也要承认我们。主又说，“凡在人面前不认我的，我在我天上的父面前，也必不认他。”（33）“在人面前不认我的，人子在神的使者面前也必不认他。”（路十二9）这一个比较有多大！你不过是在人面前承认你所信的这一位超过一切的人，是千万人中的第一人，说祂真是神的儿子。主却是在天父的面前、在神的使者面前承认你。你如果觉得在人面前承认这样的主是困难的事，那么到那一天，当主在父的荣耀里降临的时候，祂承认像你这样的人，也是何等困难的事。今天我们不要因怕人（赛五一12），而不敢不在人面前承认主。今天我们如果觉得在人面前承认永生神的儿子耶稣基督有困难，那么到有一天，当我们的主回来的时候，祂在父的面前、在众荣耀的使者面前承认我们，也要觉得困难。这是何等严肃的一件事。

　　事实上，我们今天承认祂一点都不难；比起祂的那一个承认来，一点都不难；祂的承认我们，倒是困难的事，因为我们是浪子回到家里，我们并没有什么好。将来祂既然肯承认我们，就我们今天在人面前也要好好的承认祂。

　　但愿初信的弟兄姊妹，一开始就有胆量承认主，千万不要暗暗地作一个基督徒！
 
　The Lord said, "Every one therefore who will confess in Me before men, I also will confess in him before My Father who is in the heavens" (Matt. 10:32). Thank the Lord that if we confess the Lord today, on that day He will also confess us. The Lord also said, "But whoever will deny Me before men, I also will deny him before My Father who is in the heavens" (v. 33). "But he who denies Me before men will be denied before the angels of God" (Luke 12:9). What a great contrast! All we have to do is confess that this excellent One, this chiefest among ten thousand, is the Son of God. He will then confess us before the heavenly Father and the angels of God. If you think it is difficult to confess such a Lord before men, the Lord will find it difficult to confess such a person as you when He descends in the glory of the Father. Today we must not shrink back from confessing the Lord through fear of men (Isa. 51:12). If today we find it difficult to confess Jesus Christ, the Son of the living God, then on that day, when our Lord comes back, He will find it difficult to confess us before His Father and all the glorious angels. What a serious thing this is!

　In reality, it is not difficult for us to confess the Lord. It is especially easy when we compare our confession with His confession of us. It is difficult for Him to confess us because we are prodigal sons who have come home, and there is nothing good in us. Since He will confess us in the future, let us also confess Him well before men today.

　May all the newly-saved brothers and sisters be bold to confess the Lord from the beginning. We should never try to be Christians in secret.

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