Charles Spurgeon Commentary Luke 12:8-9

"And I say unto you, Every one who shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denieth me in the presence of men shall be denied in the presence of the angels of God." — Luke 12:8-9 (ASV)

Also I say to you, Whoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denies me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

What courage this ought to give us! In company where the very name of Christ is kicked about like a football — where everything is respected except true religion — it is not always an easy thing to come forward and say, "I also am his disciple." But if you will do this, you have Christ's pledge that he will own you before the angels of God. If you do not do so, but practically deny him by a shameful silence, you may reasonably expect that he also will deny you before the angels.

Also I say to you, Whoever shall confess me before men, him shall the Son of man also confess before the angels of God: but he that denies me before men shall be denied before the angels of God.

Pay attention, then, you who never confess Christ before men; because, according to the connection of this passage, you are accounted as having denied him. Christ first speaks of those who confess him, and then of those who do not confess him, and he describes them as virtually denying him. On another occasion, Christ said, He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathers not with me scatters abroad. Examine that attitude of yours, which you suppose to be neutral, and see how Christ regards it, and then ask yourself whether you can be satisfied to remain in it any longer.