Confidence in Christ Alone

So many Christians still fall into the trap of attempting to gain their esteem through self-effort. We want to feel good about our self, because of the belittling, condescension and criticism we receive. Life positions us for this tendency by giving us praise for our successes, good behavior and accomplishments; and then rejecting or punishing us for our failings.

The good news is that, in Christ, our failings are not failures. They are simply lapses in judgment, over-reactions in a situation or misinformed decisions. The solution to this is to walk in God’s Spirit each moment of the day, with our focus on His direction and not on our human thoughts, plans and goals (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Walking in the Spirit requires thinking with the mind of Christ, rather than relying on our human observations (1 Corinthians 2:16; Galatians 5:15-25). God’s plan for us started before our birth and continues to our last breath (Psalm 139:13-14; Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 2:10). At salvation, we died to our human mind-set, and Christ is now our whole life (Galatians 2:20; Colossians 3:3-4; 1 Corinthians 2:3-5).

Through God’s Spirit, we have the ability, confidence, love and self-discipline to live a successful life (2 Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 3:26; Psalm 138:8). Our self-esteem comes from Christ in us, and God’s unconditional love for us. Even during trials, our confidence in God and His promises remain steadfast and true (Hebrews 10:35-36; Matthew 6:34; James 1:12).

We boldly approach God’s throne to receive forgiveness and grace in our times of need (Hebrews 4:16). Christ and His Spirit within us strengthen us to walk in God’s will all the days of our life (Philippians 4:13; Acts 1:8). This gives us more confidence than anything we could ever accomplish through our own self-efforts.

Prayer:

Father God, no matter what we face during our lifetime, we have no need to fear, because we rely on Christ in us rather than our human capabilities (1 John 4:18). Even if the most horrendous issue ever known to mankind comes against us, we have confidence in Christ abiding within us (Psalm 27:3). You are with us no matter where we live, what surrounds us or what occurs in our life (Joshua 1:9). We have all of our confidence in You, rather than in our self, because we know that You work out even the negative issues of life for our ultimate good (Romans 8:28).

Thought for the Day:

We find joy, even in the most trying difficulty; because when we pray with gratitude in our heart, surrender to God’s will and have faith in God’s faithfulness, He guards our heart and mind through Christ in the most miraculous ways. - Philippians 4:4-7

Self-confidence or God-confidence

There is nothing on this earth that I want more than to be filled through all of my being with all of the fullness of God, and to have the richest measure of His presence until I completely overflow with God Himself (Ephesians 3:19). This starts at Salvation when we receive all of God's fullness. He moves in by His Spirit with all of His glory and power.

I know that there is no way to contain more of God, because His fullness already abides in Believers; but I do want to experience a fuller awareness of His presence and leading. Too often, we are so full of our self, that we miss out on the fullness of God within us. The more we allow our flesh and self-confidence to dictate our life, the less we walk in the Spirit.

We need to surrender to God the self-assured part of our identity in order to trust Him. People with a high opinion of their assets have so much to overcome, but those who suffer with self-doubt and who lack self-esteem are closer to walking in the Spirit. The uncertain, timid person is already light years ahead of most people. Insecure people trust God more than those who are secure in their self.

What we need more than self-confidence in our human attributes is our confidence and identity in God. John advised us to decrease, so that Christ in us may increase (John 3:30). We gain our identity in who we are in Christ, not in who we are as a person. There is nothing, which God calls us to do, that we cannot accomplish, once we realize the extent of His power within us (Philippians 4:13).

If we list our human assets and talents, we discover the gifts God gave us. For instance, what are we good at? What positive character traits do we already have? These are the areas where God is already shining through us. We are His light in the world (Matthew 5:16). God lives in us, and we have all the power of the godhead working through us. Now, that fact will improve any self-image!

Prayer:

Father God, when we face challenges in life, which overwhelm our faith, we are tempted to roll up our sleeves and apply some human effort to the problem. We fail to realize our limited human resources. Remind us that the nation of Israel faced such an issue at the outskirts of Canaan, and felt like grasshoppers. They wandered in the wilderness, because they thought they had to rely on their human effort rather than on Yours. Give us the faith to follow the leading of Your Holy Spirit each moment of every day. 

Thought for the Day:

When we gain our identity from Christ in us, rather than from our human capabilities or insufficiencies, we accomplish everything, which God calls us to do.

True Self-Worth

 

Paul tells us to work out our own salvation, but then turns right around in the very next verse and reminds us that it is God who gives us both the power and the desire to obey Him. With Christ within us, He does all things through us with His strength (Philippians 4:11-13). He gives power to the weak, and renews our strength until we rise up like eagles on the wind of His Spirit (Ephesians 6:10; Isaiah 40:29, 31). When our soul – our mind, will and emotions – melts from the heat of trials, God strengthens us with His Word (Psalm 119:28).

Spiritual pride is a source of haughtiness and self-confidence. We inflate with self-importance and brag foolishly about our accomplishments. On the other hand, the humble boast in the Lord, realizing that everything they produce is the direct result of the Spirit’s direction and provision in their life (Psalm 34:2). They give God praise and adoration all day long for every blessing and even the trials, which He provides (Psalm 44:8; James 1:2-12). When other people praise the humble, they appreciate the encouragement, but they give all the glory to God (Proverbs 27:1-2).

We may lose a battle, but Jesus already won the war on Calvary’s cross. We may have momentary failings, but we have no permanent failures. Belittling our self is always easy, yet has no positive results (1 John 3:20). God teaches us the secret of contentment in any situation. We work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, by realizing that God works in us, and instead of us, as He births within us with the desire, ability, power and strength to walk by His Spirit’s direction in the exact center of God’s will (Philippians 4:12-13).

Those with Godly self-worth freely admit to our faults and our negative choices. We realize that blaming someone else is useless and stunts our spiritual progress. We will never grow in Christ if we do not take responsibility for our own actions. God gives us all of the talents and abilities we need to live as good stewards for His glory. He wants us to realize our limitations, however, and to volunteer to meet only those needs for which His Spirit directs us. He only equips us for the activities He wants to accomplish through us.

There is no more condemnation in the life of an authentic Christian Believer (Romans 8:1-2). We merely need to repent of our mistakes and believe that He is the God who rewards everyone who diligently seeks Him (Hebrews 11:6). God has mercy on us according to His unfailing love and endless compassion. He blots out our transgressions, washes away our iniquities and cleanses us from all of our sins (Psalm 51:1-2). This gives us true Godly self-worth.

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You for exchanging Your righteousness for our sins, and Your holiness for our ungodly thoughts and behavior. Occasionally, we may continue to do bad things, but that does not mean we are bad people. You faithfully forgive every sin we confess and sanctify us from any ungodly behavior (1 John 1:9-10). As long as we walk by Your Spirit’s direction throughout our day, we will accomplish the works You called us to do.

Thought for the Day:

God’s Spirit dispells our feelings of defeat and doubt, and gives us the faith to move mountains. – Matthew 17:20