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Monday, May 5,
2008
Confidence
Thayer’s definition for
confidence:
3954 parrhesia-
1) freedom in speaking,
unreservedness in speech
a) openly,
frankly, that is, without concealment
2) free and fearless
confidence, cheerful courage, boldness, assurance
Confidence, boldness,
assurance; where do these come from and how can I maintain this in my walk,
knowing who I serve and how to be an example of the believers? Is this
something that just happens once in a while or is this something I have
access to all the time? Is having confidence in the Lord and the good work
He has begun in me something I can continue in or was is just something I
experience periodically, is it just for certain special people? Be assured Church,
that God would like nothing better than to see His people operate in a
boldness, an assurance as well a confidence in their walk and in their
prayers so that they can know that not only are they being heard, but
answered also.
1 John 3:21-23 Beloved, if
our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. (22) And
whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and
do those things that are pleasing in his sight. (23) And this is his
commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ,
and love one another, as he gave us commandment. (KJV)
You know all those prayer
requests you make to God, well He requests things in return, like being a
doer of the word of God and not a hearer only. Verse 22 is clear to point
out our responsibility in order to receive our requests. Are you as quick
to respond to God and His word as you want Him to be when you request His
help? Remember, this relationship you have with your heavenly Father is a
two way street. He answers you and desires for you to answer Him also. You
wonder at times why your prayers don’t seem to be getting answered or maybe
you don’t have much confidence in what you are doing. Maybe you are not in
place you need to be or maybe you are pursuing a matter that is drawing you
away from God instead of closer. The more you are a doer of the word of God,
a go to guy that responds to the call of our Father, the more confidence
you will have when you make your requests to Him also. Simply put, with
what measure you give out is given back your way; so if nothing seems to be
coming your way you may need to find out if you are going the right way.
Nothing in the realm of God just happens by chance or luck, which by the
way none of these two words should be a part of any Christians vocabulary,
but rather all the promises of God are a definite done deal to those that
are willing and obedient to His word. You will find that the more you
respond to God and draw near to Him the more He draws near to you as well;
and the closer you get to Him the more confident you become in His word and
promises. The farther away from Him you are the harder it is to hear His
voice and to know what He is asking of you. So the farther away from Him
you are, the more you are removed from the confidence and boldness you may have
once had in His word, like the term dull of hearing.
Williams New Testament translation
for 1John 3:20-23
20. because if our consciences do condemn us,
God is greater than our consciences, and He knows everything. 21. Dearly beloved, if our consciences do not
condemn us, we come with perfect confidence to God, 22. and we obtain from Him whatever we ask
for, because we practice obedience to His commands and do what pleases Him.
Before you get all worked up
or think God doesn’t answer your prayers because He loves you less, the
truth be known He is desiring for you to get to know Him better and
accomplish His perfect will in you. However He does expect you to practice
what you preach, to follow through with your commitment with Him. The same
diligence you have shown in the past to achieve your earthly desires should
now be aimed at His desire and what is pleasing in His sight. You wish to
have confidence in your walk with the Lord, then answer His call and walk
by faith, and you will find the Lord answering your requests as well.
1 John 5:13-15 These things
have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye
may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of
the Son of God. (14) And this is the confidence that we have in him, that,
if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: (15) And if we
know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions
that we desired of him. (KJV)
When one believes on the name
of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, then they believe that truly He that is
within them is greater than anyone or anything in this fallen world. You
trust that the name which is above all names, the only name in which you can
have salvation as well as access to the throne of God. Your confidence is
built on the completed work Jesus Christ has done on your behalf, and now your
only desire is to do those things that are pleasing to God, which is why you
know He hears you. You are also confident in this fact that God said that
there is one mediator between Him and mankind, that being Jesus Christ. So
if I come to my Father through that name, then I now can come boldly to His
throne, holding Him to be true to His word. The more you hold God to be
true and man the liar, the more confidence and trust you will build with
our Father. While most of the world and worldly people are more apt to hold
man’s word and interpretations above God, we can clearly see why they are
not confident in their walk with Him and why their prayer life is not effective
at all.
Ephesians 3:10-12 To the
intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might
be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God, (11) According to the
eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: (12) In whom we
have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (KJV)
Talk about hitting the
tri-fecta, there is definitely three things every Christian should have in
their walk, boldness and access with confidence. Again we see this is all a
result of the Lord’s purpose for our life, which is being purposed to us
through Christ Jesus our Lord. Now be forewarned, you will experience
opposition when trying to access the Father, especially from the
principalities and powers that would like to keep you in darkness. But it
is up to the Church, those that know who they are in Christ and their
rights and authority they have by that name, to continue to operate in the
manifold spiritual wisdom of God and walk according to His purpose. In all
things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us; so rather
than giving ear to the voice of the enemy and withdrawing, tell him to step
aside and get behind you, as you are going to proceed forward and not draw
back. The devil is a liar and the father of them; you know the truth that
has set you free, so don’t be afraid to remind the enemy who you are in
Christ and confidently remind your opponents the victory you have by that
name.
Ephesians 6:11-13 Put on the
whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the
devil. (12) For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against
principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this
world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (13) Wherefore take
unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the
evil day, and having done all, to stand. (KJV)
The closer you get to God,
the more opposition you will find getting there. Similar to a football team
driving down the field to the end zone, they may move the ball fairly well
on one side of the field, but once they get close to the goal line they
will find the defense stiffens and will put up a goal line stand. Those
that have a heavenly game plan, following the purpose of our Lord, will
know the name that will get them past the goal line and into the realm of
the Spirit, while others will find themselves sacked and thrown for a loss.
Romans 13:14 But put ye on
the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the
lusts thereof. (KJV)
The armor of God is
spiritual, by putting on Jesus Christ you are putting on God’s uniform and
protective gear, while anything less will leave you exposed and open to
injury. Jesus Christ has already punched a trail past the goal line by
following God’s plan; now the question is ‘will you follow the same path of
a winner or will you end up a whiner?’
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