That We May Have Confidence

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That We May Have Confidence

There are worldly people  who mock Christians  claiming they have no confidence.     What is that assumption based on?     The world claims  a Christian’s lack of confidence shows  when they feel a need  for repentance  and feel pushed into obeying what God says  in the Bible.     They claim Christians cannot make decisions  for themselves,  so they weakly hold onto Jesus  as a crutch.

That is a really deceptive  twist.

Realizing our need  for repentance  is simply facing reality.     We see sin  throughout the world  and it is an ugly mess  of pain and horrors  of all sorts.     Common sense tells us  that sin is bad  for us  and everyone around us — it hurts.     When we see how loving and holy God is  and how He wants His children  to be,  we see a real need.     We all need  to daily repent  and change our ways.     Repentance makes this world  a better and safer place  to live.

It is the love of God  that keeps on being patient  with us,  giving us chance after chance  to change our ways.     Romans 2:4  tells us,

Or do you think lightly  of the riches  of His kindness  and forbearance  and patience,  not knowing  that the kindness of God  leads you  to repentance?

There is a great depth  of love  in God wanting us  to repent,  so that we will not further increase the evils  of this world.     The person  who faces the facts  of our being — that God is our Creator,  Redeemer,  and Judge — is the person  who sees and admits  to the goodness and love  in all that God does.     That is not a weakness — it’s just facing the facts  of life.

It is only common sense  to see  that all of God’s commands lead  to peace,  harmony,  security, and  love for everyone.     Everything about God’s ways are good and right  for everyone concerned,  so they should be viewed  in all the good they project.     Why shouldn’t we want  to do what is good and right?     Christians do not feel pushed  into obeying God.     They just realize God’s love  for us  and His goodness  towards us.     Then they want  to be like their loving heavenly Father.     That is a good,  positive thing — filled with confidence.

As we desire  to live  in God’s loving ways,  we develop a bond  of love and trust  with our heavenly Father,  and are glad to do what is right and good — just because it is right and good.     1 John 4:16-17  explains it this way,

And we have come to know  and have believed the love  which God has  for us.     God is love,  and the one  who abides in love  abides in God,  and God abides in him.

By this,  love is perfected with us,  that we may have confidence  in the day of judgment;  because  as He is,  so also are we  in this world.

And there we have it.     Christians have great confidence  while living in this world  because we abide  with God in love  and obedience — not because we “have to”,  but because we want to — because we love God  for loving us.

The world does not really have confidence.     All they have is arrogance,  rebellion,  egotistical pride,  and a desire to rule over others  to their own benefit.     They have no honest love  for God  or their fellowmen.     They make the world a sad place  to be.

Having a sure confidence  in the saving love and power  of God Almighty,  we joyfully say,  “Hallelujah!     Lord,  You alone are my strength  and my song  in this world.     Your love is self-evident  through all of creation and history,  with its fulfilled prophecy.     Thank You  for loving me.”

Love,
Margaret

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A Christian devotional to glorify the LORD of lords and God of gods

 

Pray for our country.

 

This is the day which the LORD has made;
Let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24

 

The word of the LORD is tried;
He is a shield  to all  who take refuge  in Him.
Psalm 18:30

 

Sing for joy in the LORD,  O you righteous ones;
Praise is becoming  to the upright.
Psalm 33:1

 

How blessed are those  who dwell in Thy house!
They are ever praising Thee.
Psalm 84:4

 

Just as a father has compassion  on his children,
So the LORD has compassion on those who fear Him.
Psalm 103:13

 

Oh give thanks to the LORD,  for He is good;
For His lovingkindness is everlasting.
Psalm 107:1

 

Glory in His holy name;
Let the heart of those who seek the LORD be glad.
Psalm 105:3

 

Not that I have already obtained it, or have already become perfect, but I press on in order that
I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.
Philippians 3:12

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