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NASB | Matthew 10:33 "But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 10:33 "But the one who denies and rejects Me before men, that one I will also deny and reject before My Father who is in heaven. |
Bible Question:
Can A Christian disown Christ? If not, who does this apply to? Why did Jesus say "My" Father? |
Bible Answer: No, I don't believe a born again, Spirit filled Christian can deny (reject) Christ. To confess Christ means more than just mouthing the words. It means making a commitment (covenant) with Him... and acknowledging Him as our Savior and Lord. I don't believe that once we become a Son of God (led by His Spirit) that we could reject Christ. Jesus was speaking to the twelve apostles in those verses, beginning in verse 5 (see also Luke 12:1-12). In Matthew Jesus said he would either "confess" or "deny" people "before MY (His) Father", and in Luke he said "before the angels of God". It makes sense that Jesus would call God "MY" Father since He was Jesus' Father. Is your question "why did He not call God OUR Father" when speaking to the apostles? He is the mediator between God and man... whether men choose to "confess" or "deny" Him, God is still His Father and that point is clearly stated in those two verses. Remember, the TWELVE apostles were there... including one named Judas, who was later referred to by Jesus as a "diabolos" devil (John 6:70; 13:27). Wouldn't it have been wrong for Jesus to give Judas a false view of his position with God -- KNOWING what would occur later? So... I believe Matt. 10:32 applies to believers, whereas 10:33 applies to unbelievers. |