NEGATIVE CONFESSION

Many Christians believe God’s children are to “speak what is not as if it were, and to speak what is as if it were not”, as a positive confession demonstrating their faith, citing Romans 4:17 as their proof text: “(as it is written, “I have made you a father of many nations”) in the presence of Him whom he believed—God, who gives life to the dead and calls those things which do not exist as though they did.” Paul is giving a discourse proving God’s promise to Abraham was “of faith that it might be according to grace” (vs. 16), as part of a broader discourse on justification by faith. Notice in the relevant phrase “God, who gives ... “, that it is God performing the action. The phrase “gives life to the dead” is a direct reference to Abraham’s impotence and Sarah’s bareness, a kind of deadness which God supernaturally overturned... restoring their vitality, giving life through Isaac, the spiritual progenitor of God’s promise. Notice, this verse does not say God calls things that are, as though they do not exist; but rather, that God calls those things which do not exist as though they do exist. God called Abraham the “father of many nations” when he was old and without children, calling those things which did not exist as though they did. There is no denial of reality here, but simply a declaration that God’s sovereignty trumps man’s reality. Authentic faith does not pretend no problem exists... does not ignore adversity, but believes God’s word in the face of adversity and affliction. “Positive Confession” is really a gimmick to try to boaster faith, a well meant lie but a lie all the same... a Negative Confession. Authentic faith does not deny life’s adversities... the obstacles at hand... sickness... financial need, etc., but recognizes God’s ability to change one’s circumstances declaring God is greater than any obstacle of life. Only God gives life to the dead and speaks of the nonexistent things that He has foretold and promised as if they already existed... Only God...

GOD’S SOVEREIGNTY TRUMPS MAN’S REALITY