There’s something very meaningful that happens when I speak what I think out loud. If I believe something, but keep it to myself, do I really, truly believe it?

Once I’ve claimed something out loud, I’m committed to it. People have a record of my claim and can remind me of it and keep me accountable to it. I have a new facet to my identity. But if I keep it to myself, I can waffle and hedge my bets. No one else knows what my opinion is. Maybe I will even start doubting myself and questioning what I actually believe.

“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭9,‬ ‭CSB‬‬)

It is important to my faith to claim Jesus as my Savior out loud, to confess Him with my mouth. It may seem like a simple thing, but it changes everything. To be a true representative of Jesus in this world, I must reveal myself as such. If I hide my beliefs instead, I will be useless as His witness, and my faith will suffer.

It’s scary to open myself up to scrutiny by sharing my beliefs. But unless I do, I will not be saved. If I’m ashamed of Jesus today, He will be ashamed of me on judgment day.

Dear God,

Thank you for your promise to save me if I believe you in my heart and confess you with my mouth. Give me the courage necessary to make my love for you known, to identify as your disciple. Forgive me for wanting to remain hidden and neutral and lukewarm. I know this is not the kind of follower you want.