Confidence in the Gospel

Early disciples were bold, full of faith and had confidence. They were not self-conceited, presumptuous, arrogant, head-strong, or offensively boastful. They merely possessed the confident, calm assurance that faith provides. Notice these examples from the pen of Paul:

• “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
• “For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens” (2 Corinthians 5:1).
• “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me” (1 Corinthians 4:13).

How can we effectively reach others if our lives are filled with doubt? We need some of the confidence of the youngster who was drawing pictures with his crayons. His mother asked him what he was doing. “I’m drawing a picture of God,” he said. After his mother patiently explained that no one knew what God looked like, the little boy replied, “Don’t worry mom, when I get done they will!”

We can have confidence in the gospel because we can have confidence in its source – the Bible.

Its claims of inspiration are valid (2 Timothy 3:16). The brevity, clarity, unity and accuracy of the Book are not accidental. Contrary to the claims of unbelievers, nothing in science, archaeology, or history has shown the Bible to be anything other than credible! The Bible owes its origin to God.

We can have confidence in the gospel because we can have confidence in its central figure – Jesus.

No fair minded person today will deny the existence of Jesus of Nazareth. He is an indisputable fact of history. What we know about Him confirms our faith in Him. The historian W. E. H. Lecky, who was not a believer in revealed religions, wrote: “The character of Jesus has not only been the highest pattern of virtue, but the strongest incentive to its practice, and has exerted so deep an influence, that it may be truly said, that the simple record of three short years of active life has done more to regenerate and to soften mankind, than all the disquisitions of philosophers and than all the exhortations of moralists.” (History of European Morals, ii (1869), p. 88).

Like those early disciples, we must boldly proclaim the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can have confidence that its message is as true and relevant as ever!

Salvation:  Hear - Believe - Repent - Confess - Be Baptized - Live Faithfully