Creator, Father, King #192

Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven.

THERE HAVE BEEN MANY infamous denials in American history. Perhaps the most notorious is Richard Nixon’s televised rebuttal on November 17, 1973.

At the time, Nixon, serving his second term as president of the United States, was under investigation for a huge political scandal. Seventeen months earlier, burglars had broken into the Democratic National Convention headquarters, located in the Watergate Hotel complex in Washington, DC, during the 1972 presidential campaign. The prowlers were caught wiretapping phones and stealing documents.

Within several months, investigators traced the Watergate crimes to Nixon’s Republican reelection campaign. While several of his administration officials were eventually convicted on related cover-up charges, Nixon initially denied any involvement. As the scandal intensified, he made this now-infamous statement on TV: “I welcome this kind of examination because people have got to know whether or not their president’s a crook. Well, I’m not a crook! I’ve earned everything I’ve got.”

Ironic words indeed. As the investigation continued, the evidence undoubtedly pointed to Nixon’s involvement. Facing impeachment, Nixon resigned in August 1974.

Denying the truth is a bad idea. Yet as today’s verse says, it’s far worse to deny Christ.

What’s It Mean?

What is there to deny? Jesus suffered the horrors of the Cross for our sake. He has done everything for us! It’s a privilege to claim allegiance to him.

Yet there are many who are false disciples, only wanting the benefits of Christianity but none of its hardships.

Jesus, though, requires our total allegiance. Saying you’re a Christian only when it’s convenient is an insult to Jesus. No true Christ follower publicly denies their commitment to him. The apostle Peter did this three times one night—and regretted it terribly (Matthew 26:69-75). Peter repented, received forgiveness, and never denied his relationship with Jesus again. But for those who consistently deny Jesus on earth, he will deny them in eternity.

That’s the stern warning for choosing wrongly. However, there’s a beautiful promise for choosing rightly. If you consistently honor and give witness to Christ, you will stand before heaven’s throne one day as the Son proudly acknowledges you before the Father. What a glorious day that will be!

Now What?

Read Mark 8:38; 2 Timothy 2:12; and 1 John 2:23.

Did You Know?

In 2019, Donald Trump became only the third president in US history to be impeached. The others were Andrew Johnson and Bill Clinton. Nixon resigned from office before formal impeachment hearings began in 1974.