Tuesday: Faith: Be Confident
Read Hebrews 10:19–25 again. One theme appears again and again, and that is “confidence.” The Greek word for “confidence” (Heb. 10:19) refers to a boldness, courage, and fearlessness that in the New Testament describes our new relationship with God.
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Originally the word referred to an openness of speech, which, in this context, could specifically mean that one can freely approach God in prayer. This type of openness in our relationship with God produces a joyful confidence. The reason and object of our confidence is that we have a High Priest in heaven through whom we can have access to the presence of God. This access is unlimited and not blocked by anything but ourselves and our wrong choices. We have an open invitation to come into the heavenly sanctuary.
Where does this confidence come from? It is not produced by ourselves but by recognizing, again, that the blood of Jesus has won access to God’s presence for us.
There are other texts in Hebrews that speak about confidence and assurance: Heb. 3:6, Heb 3:14; Heb 4:16; Heb 6:11; Heb 11:1. What kind of confidence do these texts describe?
Assurance and confidence do not anchor us in ourselves, but only in Christ. These conditions are not dependent upon who we are but who our Mediator is. Interestingly, there is no mention that believers would have anything less than “full assurance” (Heb. 6:11, Heb 10:22). Obviously, the new way that has been forever opened through Jesus’ death will lead without fail to full confidence. Nothing less is expected.
There are two ways to obtain Christian confidence and maintain it in faith. One is through faith itself (Eph. 3:12; the other is through faithful Christian service for others (1 Tim. 3:13). Both aspects are necessary and important. In Hebrews, too, assurance of faith and exhortation to prove oneself as a Christian go hand in hand. Christian living is never detached from Christian faith.
What things in life challenge your confidence in God or your full assurance of His good will for you? What can you do to help to protect yourself from this spiritual danger?
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I am saved and I must exercise my faith no matter what I am going through.
Just when we need to exercise our faith that is when the devil lays before us the multitude of our sins even though we've already repented. When this happens we loose confidence in approaching God. But we should always remember what the bible says in (psalms 103:12) and always approach the Mercy seat with confidence, faith and boldness.
”There are two ways to obtain Christian confidence and maintain it in faith. One is through faith itself (Eph. 3:12; the other is through faithful Christian service for others (1 Tim. 3:13)." Very true but I think we need to be mindful of the fact that sometimes our works can fool us:
It is when we both love God and the people around us (Mat 22:36-40) in spite of differences that we can be confident through works. Yet we can still have a prideful boastfulness in this that is not good. Besides, our works have a tendency to get us focused inward rather than outward.
Therefore to me the most secure way to have confidence is in God who can do the impossible for us. It is this kind of settled assurance that the poor tax collector (publican) had in his prayer to God (Lk 18:10-14). It is the kind of assurance anchored in faith that Hebrews 11 talks about.
The battle has be fought and Christ has already won. All we ought to do is to claim the victory in Jesus Christ's name.
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Confidence is an attitude. It does not dwell on things that might impact the outcome but has as its focus the goal that will be achieved. It is not a case of merely hoping that we will be saved. We have been saved, the price already paid, we need to focus on the outcome and rejoice in the future promised for us where there will be no more death nor sorrow nor crying for all these things have passed away. Eternity with our Saviour is promised we can have confidence in the love that surpasses all love that he will never leave or forsake us.
I think the lesson's conclusion that there are "two ways to obtain Christian confidence and maintain it in faith" is at best a little awkward and, at worst, misleading. Tyler Cluthe demonstrated that in his comment. He concluded that our works can be inward focused and fool us. I say the same for "faith." It, too can be a kind of "works" that is inward focused and leads to pride.
Faith alone is dead, and works alone are dead.
I think it would be best not to mention faith and works as "two ways," because there really is only one way, and that is by true faith in God - a faith that works by love. As Paul put it in another place, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love." (Gal 5:6 ESV)
For myself, I define faith as full confidence and trust that has motivates us to act in accordance with our confidence and trust. It is faith that works. 🙂