God is within her, she will not be shaken; God will help her when morning dawns. Psalm 46:5
True Confidence
Confidence is a big topic these days. The world tells us to think confidently, believe in ourselves, and live boldly. Our society puts great emphasis on self-confidence and "thinking positive thoughts" about oneself. Does the Bible align with this "positive thinking" approach? If the Bible advocates for confidence, what or Who should we place our confidence in?
For starters, the Bible tells us not to put our confidence in certain things. Scripture says, Have no confidence in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). Paul wrote this to challenge those who believed they were acceptable to God due to their background, education, or religious zeal. God does not show favoritism (Acts 10:34), and our backgrounds and lineages hold little significance to Him. Next, Scripture says that a righteous person avoids evil, while a fool is reckless in his self-confidence (Proverbs 14:16). Essentially, believing that sin carries no consequences is an arrogant and foolish type of confidence.
If we are to be confident in anything, Psalm 118:8, 9 tells us where it should be: It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in princes. Those who put their confidence in the government, other people, or themselves will ultimately be disappointed. On the other hand, those who put their confidence in the Lord will never be put to shame (Romans 10:11).
Psalm 16 is a great example of confidence in God. David doesn't take any credit for his own righteousness, (v 2) talents, or abilities. Instead, he attributes every good thing to the Lord (v 6), and all his hopes are grounded in God's goodness and unchanging nature (v 1). Since Jesus is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8), David can always walk with true confidence because his soul is eternally secure in the Lord (v 8-9), regardless of the many challenges he faces in life.
He Works All Things Together...
True confidence does not come from our own intelligence or abilities, nor does it come from our earthly status, finances, appearance, background, or achievements. These things are all gifts. They are given to certain people, in certain measures, at certain times, by God’s grace and for His glory, purposes, and for our benefit. Ultimately, true confidence comes from having a right relationship with God, by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. When we first come to believe in Jesus, our lives take on a whole new sense of purpose, stability, focus, and confidence. Through faith, we surrender our lives to God in loving obedience, and our confidence now flows from Jesus our Savior.
Humility is key to experiencing true confidence. The biggest enemy of true confidence is pride and the focus on self. Humbly trusting the Lord dispels all pride, the fear of man, and self-doubt, defined here as the state of uncertainty about the truth of anything. With pride being the root, all these sins become intertwined and feed off each other in a vicious cycle. When I am humble and trust in Jesus with childlike faith, I can confidently obey Him wherever He leads me. I can be confident in what He thinks of me rather than care about the opinions of others. I can be confident in knowing Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life because the Bible tells me so. And I can be confident that Jesus knows what is best for me. He knows exactly what I need, when I need it, and in the right measure for me.
I can be confident in all things because Scripture says, God works all things together for good for those who love Him, for those who are called according to His purpose. For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, (Romans 8:28-29). I can be confident in realizing that everything I face in life is to ultimately make me more like Jesus. God works the good, the bad, and the ugly all together for my good. I can be confident that no matter what trials I face, rest assured, the Lord is conforming me into the image of Christ, the main goal and sum of the Christian life. As a believer, I can confidently depend on God's word, wisdom, power, and plan, even when it’s painful or I don't understand it. According to Scripture, nothing that the Lord allows to happen to me is truly bad since He works all things together for my good. That truth ought to give me great confidence in every trial that comes my way.
He Who Began a Good Work in Me...
Having a clear conscience by turning from sin also boosts my confidence, leaving me with nothing to hide or fear. I can live boldly when I turn away from sin and look to Jesus. The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). True confidence comes from loving and obeying my Lord Jesus, in which He often blesses me in my obedience and also gives me assurance of my salvation (1 John 2:3). What greater confidence is there than to know I am eternally secure in Jesus? Knowing I get to live forever should give me immense confidence!!!
Being confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6). The Bible says that the Lord will complete in me the good work He began when He first gifted me with my faith in Jesus. Unlike myself, God always finishes what He starts. The Lord will work His divine grace in my heart to conform me to the image of Jesus, and one day He will call me Home, where I will finally be like Jesus because I will see Him as He is (1 John 3:2). To know the Holy Spirit is working in my heart every day ought to give me lots of confidence in everything I do! I have the Best Helper ever!
Jesus is my Savior
I can be confident in my Heavenly Father’s promises to me. I can be confident in His provision, protection, and plan, namely that He loved me and chose me before the foundation of the world to be saved and set apart (See Ephesians 1:3-14). In His glorious plan of redemption, the Father sent His Son Jesus into the world to save me from my sins and gift me with eternal life, by grace through faith. I can be confident in Jesus’ perfect life and finished work on the cross through His death and resurrection. I can be confident that Jesus is my Savior. I can be confident that all my sins are forgiven, and I am clothed in Jesus' perfect robe of righteousness.
Furthermore, I can be confident knowing that Jesus never changes. He will always be with me (Matthew 28:20). He will never leave me nor forsake me (Hebrews 13:5). He will never cast me out (John 6:37). And no one can snatch me out of His hand (John 10:28). Now that kind of confidence ought to flow from everything I do in life! True confidence comes from knowing that Jesus is my Savior.
I shouldn’t ever put my confidence in myself or in the abilities God has gifted me with. Rather, I will have true confidence in Jesus, who created me, called me, died for me, saved me, keeps me, helps me, knows what's best for me, and one day will call me Home to live and reign with Him forever in perfect joy, peace, and love.
Jesus Loves Me
So I think I figured it out. My confidence is this:
I am saved by grace.
I am in Christ.
My sins are forgiven.
I get to live forever.
Jesus accepts me.
Jesus includes me.
Jesus is changing me every day to become more like Him.
I belong not just anywhere;
I belong to Jesus
who is Lord of Heaven and Earth,
and He is my Savior.
I am confident
because Jesus loves me.
All glory belongs to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure (confident!) that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:37-39 (emphasis added)
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. John 10:27-28