Now turn to Matthew 10:32: "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven": the "I will" of confession.

      That's the next thing that takes place after a man is saved. When we have been washed in the blood of the Lamb, we get our mouths opened. We have to confess Christ here in this dark world and tell His love to others. We are not to be ashamed of the Son of God.

 A man thinks it a great honor when he has achieved a victory that causes his name to be mentioned in the English Parliament or in the presence of the queen and her court.

      How excited we used to be during the war when some general did something extraordinary and someone got up in Congress to confess his exploits! How the papers used to talk about it!

      In China the highest ambition of the successful soldier is to have his name written in the palace or temple of Confucius.

      But just think of having your name mentioned in the kingdom of Heaven by the Prince of Glory, by the Son of God, because you confessed Him here on earth! Confess Him here; He will confess you yonder.

      If you wish to be brought into the clear light of liberty, you must take your stand on Christ's side. Many Christians go groping about in darkness and never get into the clear light of the kingdom because they are ashamed to confess the Son of God. We are living in a day when men want a religion without the cross, the crown but not the cross. But if we are to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we have to take up our crosses daily–not once a year or on the Lord's Day, but daily. And if we take up our crosses and follow Him, we shall be blessed in the very act.

      A newly converted man in New York came to pray with me. His burden was that he was afraid to confess Christ. It seemed that down at the bottom of his trunk he had a Bible. He wanted to get it out and read it to the companion with whom he lived, but he was ashamed to do it.

 After he had carried the burden for a whole week and after a terrible struggle, he made up his mind, "I will take my Bible out tonight and read it." He did. Soon he heard the footsteps of his roommate coming upstairs. His first impulse was to put the Bible away, but then he decided he would face his companion with it in hand.

      His roommate came in. Seeing John at his Bible, he said, "Are you interested in these things?"

      "Yes," John replied.

      "How long has this been?" asked his companion.

      "Exactly a week," he answered. "For a whole week I have tried to get out my Bible to read to you, but I have not done so till now."

      "Well," said his friend, "it is a strange thing. I was converted on the same night, and I too was ashamed to take my Bible out."

      You are ashamed to show your Bible and say, "I have lived a godless life for all these years, but I will commence now to live a life of righteousness." You are ashamed to open your Bible and read that blessed psalm, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." You are ashamed to be seen on your knees.

      No man can be a disciple of Jesus Christ without bearing his cross. A great many want to know how it is Christ has so few disciples whilst Muhammad has so many. The reason is, Muhammad gives no cross to bear.

      There are so few who will come out to take their stand.

      I was struck during the Civil War with the fact that there were so many who could go to the cannon's mouth without trembling but who had no courage to take up their Bibles to read them at night. They were ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation.

      "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.