SUCH CONFIDENCE

SUNDAY 26 SEPTEMBER 2021

We serve God with confidence because of what Christ has done for us on the cross. This confidence is a product of the Spirit of the living God in us. This means that our confidence in Christ requires us to move beyond ourselves and function on the wings of the Holy Spirit. In fact, we demonstrate the Christian life through the boldness the Spirit of God grants us.

Reference: 2 Corinthians 3:4 New International Version (NIV) "Such confidence we have through Christ before God."

Our Christian life is a reflection of the workings and manifestations of the Spirit of God who causes us to walk in boldness. In Christ, our confidence is something much greater than mere dependence on the Spirit; it is a supernatural force in operation from within because Christ has taken over us as Lord. Therefore, we are conditioned to express untold confidence and exercise unusual boldness in Christ, which denote a tangible proof of being led by the Spirit. Most importantly, Ephesians 3:12 says, "We have boldness through Christ, and free access as kings before the Father because of our complete confidence in Christ's faithfulness" (TPT).

This confidence transcends whatever is possible or obtainable in the flesh, because we are seated together with Christ in the heavenly places - a high level position of authority. We are the called, justified and glorified people of God. For this reason we have such confidence through Christ before God. This confidence also manifests in us when we are conscious of our identity in Christ and the true knowledge of God, our heavenly Father. First, we are one with God, and once we sustain the awareness that we are in inextricably intertwined union with Him, its easy to function with godly confidence.

Second, we must define our Christian walk as having confidence in who God says we are. God wants you to always be strong and courageous! Always trust God and affirm that you are more than enough to accomplish whatever His purpose for your life is, or rather, you have all it takes to fulfil your glorious destiny in Christ. Jeremiah 17:7 says, "But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him" (NIV). The Scripture goes on to say that such a person is like a tree planted by the waters that sends out its roots toward the stream. It does not fear when the heat comes, and its leaves are always green. It does not worry in a year of drought, nor does it cease to produce fruit.

Third, Christ's life is our life, which means that we express His life in us as Christians, which has become our glorious daily experience. Paul said, "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me" (Galatians 2:20 NIV). Did you notice the expression, "I live by faith in the Son of God..." Paul is confident in God through the life of Christ flowing in him. His faith in the Son of God is the source of the confidence that motivates his Christian walk. And this confidence is unaffected by external circumstances because it springs from within.

Hebrews 10:35 (NIV) says, "So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded." Keep on walking in the boldness of the Spirit because it will bring you great reward. Confidence before God is braveness (Hebrews 10:35 CEV). Don't ever lose your courage. Why? Hebrews 3:6 tells us that "Christ is faithful as the Son over God's house. And we are His house, if we hold firmly to our confidence and the hope of which we boast." As God's building, Christ who is our head, is committed to building us up through the Word, if we hold firmly to our confidence and hope in Him. Giving up on your confidence and hope is giving up on Christ and God's best for you. So Paul wants us to be committed and devoted to God through our confidence in Him. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Acts 4:13; 2 Corinthians 7:4; Acts 4:31; Hebrews 4:16; 2 Timothy 1:7; 1 John 3:21.

Exuberant Declaration: Christ in me is my indwelling strength and confidence. Without measure, the Holy Spirit inspires confidence in me to live a victorious Christian life in relation to God's will. Therefore, I walk in irrefutable ascendance, imperial supremacy and absolute domination over all negative circumstances and the forces of evil in this present world. Thank God for His indwelling presence in me, which is the deep secret of my consistent victory in Christ. Hallelujah!