Confidence...

 

CONFIDENCE = 

Hi folks,

I hope all is well with you as the year begins! The world teaches confidence in varying measures; the most popular notion is that wealth and power = confidence = the ability to do the things you want to do, whether it be to trave all you want, work less, and have considerable comfort. But life is not just about these things, and there are many areas like health and happiness in which wealth is unable to bring confidence.   

Christian confidence is not based on such assumptions; here, confidence = trust, first of all. 

1.It is based on the precious blood of Jesus Christ who died for us, whose blood was shed for us, out of nothing less than God’s immense love for His creation. The intention being that having been delivered from the clutches of sinfuln tendencies, human beings can rise above their present state of being and action to reach good godly levels. Spirits in a material world.

2.We are confident in our self-value because we are worth the precious blood of Christ, True, this is a matter of belief and trust and depends on the individual. But the one who takes it with utter seriousness finds it to be incredibly true in that no matter what may happen to you, or what is said to you, or how you might be treated by some folk, or ‘this world’ or life in general, your self-worth is never diminished in any way. God’s love is now the ground of your being. If the ground of your being is weak, everythign will shake you and make a nervous wreck out of you.

3.Confidence grows as we align ourselves with God’s will for us. As the line in the 23^rd Psalm says, ‘He leads me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.’ That leading is not controlling, but always protective, just as we watch where our children tread! You might even call this God’s ambition, intention or will for us. Very different from earthly ambitions, but broad enough to wrap them all in, under one divine umbrella! God has nothing against businessmen. But when they become exploitive, and switch sides then the parameters shift. It does not matter what we do as long as we do it well and for the benefit of others. It is all service, whether it be gratis or paid for. It just needs to be worth its cost. It goes wrong in God’s eyes when greed gets in the way.

4. Confidence, done right, also brings a patience of a twofold nature. There is the patience of personal holiness, as we deal with family squabbles or work disputes (like family, these are ongoing with folk we see everyday!)  - the people we live with, the people we work with, and our ability to deal gently with them - is our witness of godliness. Then there is the impatience of social holiness, and we will have much to work with on that one when Lent begins next month! Social holiness carries an imperative of impatience, so that the suffering of the less fortunate is not prolonged but is ended as quickly as possible. This is why we have or should have ‘safety’ nets that catch those who are falling and allow them the opportunity to restore their well-being, whatever the cause of such a shortcoming.  And in doing so, they are able to retain their dignity as human beings.

4. Confidence, despite the common understanding of the usefulness of fear and /or anxiety, allows us to give fear a back seat. Why? God says enough times in the Bible, fear not, for I am with you. It is the confidence that God’s presence brings into our lives. We need not overact to anything but need to deal with it in our time and on our own terms. I have done this often enough to realize just how effective the response of not responding is, especially when others offend, know they are being offensive, and then get into a defensive mode, ready to react.  By the time you get to it, having taken your time and thought it out carefully, they have lost that mode and are not quite prepared anymore. Then you come back with a ‘Why?’ and go from there!

4. What biblical examples do we have? A great many. But do not look at the prophets. Rather, seek out the little people, like Gideon in Judges Ch 6, caught off guard when the angel calls him a mighty man of valor!  The ones who are surprised that they can actually do something they thought they couldn’t. David is perhaps the best example of this, showing clearly that confidence comes from knowing that God will grant victory in all things that God approves of. It is a lifestyle conditioning.

In our traditions, salvation has become a concept, a status of being, a frame of mind, among other notions. In the Bible it is very simple and down to earth. It is God intervening in your life in the here and now and making the essential needed difference. Why? So that your witness is not compromised in any way. This is what Jesus is about. This is a crucial key to all the talk we have around us about answered or unanswered prayer. We will get to that in due course.

True, there is forgiveness of sin, and a new beginning. But this is not a cyclical up and down thing. In Jesus, it is linear and incremental according to how much you put into it and it will take you from strength to strength as your relationship with Jesus grows!

So, in the end, do not be afraid. Of anything. Nor of anyone. Have confidence in yourself, because you are worth the precious blood of Christ. Jesus did this i.e. he gave himself for us. Why? So we could have confidence in ourselves, not in him! Use it! Practice confidence and build your courage. Know what the issue is and where you are clearly and always seek the Lord’s clarity. When you know you are right, you do not give in, ever. You stand your ground. Then you move forward, slowly, steadily, incrementally. Turn the other cheek if it is timely and will help the situation but only if so. You need to keep going. The world cannot stop you. The lord’s protection will go before you. Do not see others as enemies, but rather for what they really are – needy and weak people. Be kind to them. If at all possible, help them to grow. But you are not responsible for them. They have to struggle with their own growth. And they must be accountable for their own actions and the resulting consequences. Not your burden. Your prerogative is to enjoy being a child of the Kingdom, unafraid of the sinful weirdness of this world here and there, and knowing always that the presence with you is that of the one God, for there is no other. Read Psalm 103:1. It will take you through all things. Love in Jesus, and a blessing to share for the new year….

And now may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal covenant, equip you with everything good that you may do His will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.