Reason For Confidence!

We can look at ourselves and have plenty of reason for no confidence. Placing confidence in ourselves (especially with regard to eternity) is risky at best. However, we can have confidence in what God has made possible for us now in a way that removes the fear with regard to the future, including the coming judgment of God.

John encouraged…
“(16) So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him. (17) By this is love perfected with us, so that we MAY HAVE CONFIDENCE for the day of judgment, BECAUSE AS HE IS SO ALSO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD.” ( 1 John 4:16-17 ESV)

John had earlier mentioned our being like Jesus when He comes. ( 1 John 3:1-2) Such a blessing is linked to the love of God that has made it possible for us to be children of God presently. However, that third chapter reference was to the LIKENESS we will have in eternity. Here in chapter four John’s reference was to a present LIKENESS as being the secret of our confidence. “AS HE IS SO ALSO ARE WE IN THIS WORLD.” The more we presently recognize how much of CHRIST’S LIKENESS we share, the more confidence we should have in facing that which is to come. As we continue to live and walk in Him (note 1 John 1:7) it is in that present position that we can have confidence knowing God views us as individuals closely identified with His Son, Jesus Christ, and will deal with us as such. Therefore, why should we fear when in Christ our condemnation has been removed ( Romans 8:1) and God lovingly sees us as His dear children and members of our Lord’s body. We are not to wait to be LIKE HIM, we are to be bearing HIS LIKENESS now!

Have a great day LIVING CONFIDENTLY IN HIS LIKENESS!
Carl

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