Confirmation – Matthew 13:24-30

Churches that practice infant baptism often also hold a ceremony in which youth on the cusp of adulthood can affirm and confirm their faith in Christ that was only implicit as infants and young children. This is a recognition that children often merely mimic the faith of their parents without really personally embracing it, and “confirmation” is a chance to make it personal. Whether you accept the validity of this procedure or not, is it not also fair to say that confirmation might not work as a one-time thing?

Jesus tells a parable to suggest that it might need to be a continuing part of our faith.

He put another parable before them, saying, “The kingdom of heaven may be compared to a man who sowed good seed in his field, but while his men were sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat and went away. So when the plants came up and bore grain, then the weeds appeared also. And the servants of the master of the house came and said to him, ‘Master, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have weeds?’ He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ So the servants said to him, ‘Then do you want us to go and gather them?’ But he said, ‘No, lest in gathering the weeds you root up the wheat along with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at harvest time I will tell the reapers, “Gather the weeds first and bind them in bundles to be burned, but gather the wheat into my barn. (Matthew 13:24-30 ESV)

We should expect that our enemy will not only seek to steal the message of the gospel from an individual soul, but will also blind some into thinking that this kingdom stuff is good stuff and it’s good to be among those who follow the King, when their real devotion to the kingdom is lacking.  They will conform to the group outwardly and look like kingdom participants, but only at the judgment will it become clear that they were not indeed real fruit of the message of the kingdom.

The previous parable explained that there will be those who temporarily look like Christians but who do not bear fruit. The reality Jesus is describing now is that there will be those whose unbelief does not become apparent until the judgment. So, once again, he is describing the potential for humans to fool themselves and others as to their real heart’s commitment.

Does this make you question yourself?  That is okay, since it is far worse to falsely assure yourself and rest easy than it is to realize that we in fact don’t really love God’s kingdom or His King and see our need to repent. Others might look at us askance (“I thought you were already saved!”), but that is a small price to pay for getting it right.  However, if you really do love the King and His kingdom that will become apparent as you question yourself and reaffirm that you are indeed one of God’s imperfect saints whose assurance will grow as you live before Him in trust and obedience.

This is why Peter urged us in 2 Peter 1:5-11 to be diligent to confirm our calling and election by supplementing our faith with virtue, knowledge, self-control, steadfastness, godliness, brotherly affection and love. We can be constantly confirming it. That is not the same as constantly doubting it.