(Contributed by: Jackie Ng)
The meaning of confidence, as I checked in the dictionary.1. freedom from doubt
I suppose we have heard (or made – since I, myself like to give such statement when ask to do some tasks) many of these statements before –
I don’t think I am good enough.
I don’t think Jesus could use a wretch like me.
No I can’t do that.
That’s doubt. It makes us depressed about who we are.
But we must remember that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Ps 139: 14), into His image. We are children of God, created by him, loved by him and redeemed by him. We are valuable and important to God or else Jesus will not have to pay such a high price to redeem us. Having to know all these facts, if we continue to have a distorted view of who we are, we will continue to live in uncertainty and fear, our view of the world and our place in it will be distorted as well. We have to set our mind on who we are in Christ as our Lord Jesus had set His mind on who he was while he was on earth 2000 years ago.
2. belief in one's own abilities
As what David had written in Psalm 139, God searched us and He knows us (v1), even before the foundation of the world, God had us in His mind. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb (v13). Hence, we are to believe that our abilities are God given abilities. Certainly, God’s grace is always sufficient for us when he called us to do something which we think is beyond our capabilities (not always true though since this is only our own perception to our capabilities).
2. belief in one's own abilities
As what David had written in Psalm 139, God searched us and He knows us (v1), even before the foundation of the world, God had us in His mind. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb (v13). Hence, we are to believe that our abilities are God given abilities. Certainly, God’s grace is always sufficient for us when he called us to do something which we think is beyond our capabilities (not always true though since this is only our own perception to our capabilities).
Knowing the purpose for which we are here, setting our mind on God, believe in our abilities that was given by God and fully utilize it while on earth, that’s the basic calling for all the brothers and sisters in Christ!! Our favourite bible scripture “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
Our confidence must be in God, and it has some differences as to how the world view of (self-)confidence. It is not about me; it is about our Lord Jesus Christ. “Not a result of works, so that no one may boast”. (Ephesians 2:9)
Our confidence must be in God, and it has some differences as to how the world view of (self-)confidence. It is not about me; it is about our Lord Jesus Christ. “Not a result of works, so that no one may boast”. (Ephesians 2:9)
3 comments:
Sister Jackie hit the jackpot when she said that our confidence must be "in God"! Yes it is God and the relationship we have with Him (see Question 2) that bring confidence.
In that sense:-
Over confidence = confidence that is not derived from God (His Word and His nature)
Lack of confidence = doubt on God's word and His nature (e.g His goodness and His power)
Confidence = assurance and boldness derived from God's word and His nature.
Here is my brief summary and reflection on session 3:confidence
(1) Acknowledge the fact and truth:
Almighty God loves me so much that He gave me His Son (John 3:16). What other assurance do I need? (Rom 8:32). I am a silly (when I doubt) but blessed man! (Rom 4:8)
(2) Do something:
Let's identify an area where we can take risk (leave our comfort zone)to grow and glorify God: both individually and as a group! If we fail we fail, God is still perfectly good! Right? (Rom 8:28)
(3)Encourage One another:
Be a traditional Thai messeuse, stretch one another! ;) (1 Thess 5:11)
(inspired by Nigel's sermon on Sunday 3/7/2010)
By God's Thursday, the sun, moon, stars, galaxies ..were already created and put in places and God said that it was good. (Gen 1:18)
It is easy for us to agree with God that our universe is good and it is glorious beyond our comprehension.
On Saturday, on the apex of His week-long project,God made something much better..man..the crown of His creation, and the Father ,Son and Holy Spirit agreed that it was very good! (Gen 1:31)
Can we agreed that we are very good, awfully good? The whole universe was created for us?
Can we wholeheartedly agreed with the psalmist and cried out
"I am fearfully and wonderfully made.."? (Psalm 139:14b NIV)
"..for the awful wonder of my birth" (Amplified Bible)
What else we can response except
"I praise you .." Psalm 139:14a
Lack of confidence? Let us learn from the psalmist, take time to ponder upon the wonderful and fearful God!
Psalm 139: 14 (Amplified Bible)
I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well.
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