Titus 1:16

What a strong word there is in this passage.  What they say is that they know God.  What their actions say is that they deny Him.  Which carries the day?  Their actions!  That is why they are abominable (a foul, detestable thing; used of idolatry), disobedient (they belligerently lack faith) and disqualified for every good work (they are judged unfit; they are reprobate).  

I made a profession of faith on Feb. 21, 1954.  Profession (acknowledgment) is necessary (Rom. 10:9-10).  But was it good or bad?  Of course, some would say, it was good.  I knelt by my parents bedside.  I had tears, I felt a great relief.  But none of this is Biblical evidence of a sincere profession.  Why do we ask this question?  Because the Bible warns about this issue (2 Tim. 2:19; Matt. 7:21-23).

§  John 12:42: many would not confess Christ for fear of expulsion from the Synagogue.

§  Num. 24:16: Balaam was a prophet of God whose heart revealed a lust for money.  He was judged along with the idolators of Moab.

§  Isa. 29:13 speaks of those who draw near with their mouths but who have removed their hearts far from the Lord.

§  Isa. 48:1 says they swore by the Lord’s name but not in truth or righteousness.

§  Isa. 58:2-3 says they fasted to show their delight in God but their fasting was not an affliction of the soul but a day of pleasure and exploitation.

§  Ezekiel 33:31 speaks of those who listened to but did not obey the words of the prophet.

§  Hosea 8:2-3 speaks of those who said “We know God” but rejected the good.

§  Rom. 2:18-24 speaks of people who preach against sin but do the same sins.

§  Gal. 6:11-14: the Judaizers made a good showing while doing whatever they could to avoid persecution.

§  2 Tim. 3:1-5 says this hypocrisy will characterize the last days (cf. Jude 4).

On the other hand John the Baptist (John 1:20), Paul (Acts 24:15), Timothy (1 Tim. 6:12) and of course our Lord Himself (1 Tim. 6:13; Matt. 27:11) all made a good profession.  So what is a good confession?  A good profession acknowledges the truth about Christ (1 John 2:23; 4:2, 3, 15; 2 Jn. 7) and stands consistently for that truth.  Perfection is not the issue.  We know from Peter’s experience that we may at times be hypocritical; but unlike Judas, Peter grieved over his sin, humbled himself (as seen in John 21:15-19) and was changed (as seen at Pentecost and afterwards in Acts).  

Doubts about our profession are neither because of a shortage of power in the blood of Christ nor in God’s ability to keep you for eternity.  Doubts are ultimately the result of our sin.  When we have doubts we need to examine ourselves (2 Cor. 13:5); we should not simply assure ourselves with passages like 1 John 5:11-13 as we continue in hypocrisy.  If we are truly saved God’s Spirit will assure us of His continuing love (Rom. 8:16).