Jumpstart: A Dispensational Devotional | Professing That They Know God

Titus 1:10-16

“Unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.They profess that they know God; but in works they deny Him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate” (Titus 1:15-16).

These unbelievers profess (confess with their mouth) that they know God, but by the way they live they deny this profession. The message of their life contradicts the message of their lips. Not everyone who professes Christ (1 John 2:3-4) actually possesses Christ (1 John 5:12). Not everyone who claims to be saved is really saved. Not everyone who “names the name of Christ” (2 Timothy 2:19) is really a Christian. Some who will call Him “Lord” will hear those fateful words, “And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity [lawlessness]” (Matt. 7:23). A person is saved “by grace through faith” (Rom. 10:9), and not by a verbal profession.

A false profession is common, especially in America where there is often little cost in claiming to be a Christian. A spurious confession is like a wrong label put on a can of food. The label says “Sweet Corn” but when you open the can it is actually “Asparagus.” The world needs to see true and genuine believers. It is wonderful to confess Christ with our lips (Rom. 10:9-10), but that outward profession needs to be the genuine expression of a vibrant and rich relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ which governs our everyday conduct.

May we not just say we have faith, but let us show our faith by our works (James 2:14-18). May the message of our life match the message of our lips: “In all things showing thyself a pattern of good works…[adorning] the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things” (Titus 2:7,10). A true believer should really shine and stand out in these declining and godless days.