Confidence

September 5, 2009
Larry R Evans

Reflective Introduction

What a difference a GPS makes! Wikipedia says this about the Global Positioning System: The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a U.S. space-based global navigation satellite system. It provides reliable positioning, navigation, and timing services to worldwide users on a continuous basis in all weather, day and night, anywhere on or near the Earth. For about two years we have had one. It has taken the fear out of traveling in unknown areas and seems to work well in all kinds of weather. As long as my GPS unit stays in contact with the satellite system I can have confidence that I will get to my destination, that is, as long as I listen to and follow the directions. When I miss a turn the words “Recalculating” interrupts any conversation that may be going on in the car to tell me that I’m headed in the wrong direction. It is sometimes a nuisance but an important one! This week’s Sabbath School lesson is all about the assurance we have knowing that God not only knows where we are but where we want to go. He can see the turns in the road long before we experience them and, if necessary, He knows what detours we may need to take to get back on track. As we listen to Him our confidence grows and anxiety is replaced with a sense of peace even during times of storm. Our connection with Jesus is far more important and reliable than any GPS system. There are times when we must listen to the words “Recalculating” knowing that we have strayed from the course He wants us to take but these are words of encouragement. This week’s lesson is all about hope and assurance which can be ours if it is locked into God’s Positioning System.”

Reflective Quiz

1. If we are kind to our neighbors and keep the commandments we can face the judgment with confidence. [1Jn.4:13-17; Heb.4:14-16] True and False—but why?

Years ago I discovered that many if not most were frightened about the judgment. In fact, when I was young I was so worried about forgetting to confess every sin that I thought of a way of “beating the whole notion of judgment.” I simply prayed: “Dear Jesus please forgive all my sins . . . AND all the sins I’ll commit the rest of my life! AMEN!!” If someone mentioned the word “Judgment” to you what kinds of feelings come over you? On what grounds can we face the judgment with confidence? Is it the way we treat our neighbors and keeping the commandments? Is that how we prepare for the judgement? What do the following texts tell us about having confidence as we anticipate the judgment?

1 John 4:13-18

13 We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him. 17 In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (New International Version)

Heb 4:14-16

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. (New International Version)

We must keep in mind that the accusations being raised against us come from Satan. (see Rev.12:10) God the Father has sent His Son Jesus to come to establish a case for our defense! Our attitudes, actions and relationship with Jesus speak volumes. Can we have confidence? Yes, and John wants us to know that we can know that we have eternal life because of the provisions made by Jesus. (1Jn. 5:13) Yes, it is important to treat our neighbors fairly and kindly and to keep all of God’s commandments. We are motivated to do so because of what God has done for us!

2. We can have confidence that God will save our neighbor, our spouse, our children if we ask Him out of a heart filled with faith. [1Jn.5:14,15; Mt.26:42; Josh.24:14,15; Lk.22:1-7] True—partially but also False

Can we pray with confidence about the salvation of our children, our spouse or our neighbors? What does the following passage tell us about such prayers or does it say anything?

1 John 5:14-15

14 This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. 15 And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him. (New International Version)

Does the will of the person we pray for count for anything? If so how does prayer work?

Consider Daniel’s prayer and the “slow” response in Dan. 9:10-12

Dan 10:12-14

12 Then he continued, "Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. 13 But the prince of the Persian kingdom resisted me twenty-one days. Then Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, because I was detained there with the king of Persia. 14 Now I have come to explain to you what will happen to your people in the future, for the vision concerns a time yet to come." (New International Version)

3. By living a life of love we will come into fellowship with God and be protected from harm. [1Jn.4:8, 16; 5:18, Mt. 10:28, Jn.10:10] False (though it could be argued to be true)

Why would we suggest the answer is false if we read in 1Jn.4:8

1 John 4:7-8

8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. (New International Version)

Does verse 16 shed any light?

1 John 4:15-16

16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.

(from New International Version)

A theologian by the name of John Stott says of verse 16, “. . . living in love is the proof or result of living in God: it is not by loving that we come into fellowship with God, but as a result of our fellowship with him we live in love.” (I Howard Marshall in ICC – The Epistles of John, p.221)

What kind of “harm” is most significant to the Christian? What was the concern of Jesus? Of the disciples?

Luke 22:31-34

31 "Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers."

33 But he replied, "Lord, I am ready to go with you to prison and to death."

34 Jesus answered, "I tell you, Peter, before the rooster crows today, you will deny three times that you know me." (New International Version)

In 1Jn 5:18,19 we have a quick view of the ongoing battle between Christ and Satan and we are also seen as participants.

1 John 5:18-19

18 We know that anyone born of God does not continue to sin; the one who was born of God keeps him safe, and the evil one cannot harm him. 19 We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one. (from New International Version)

John’s theme is that we can have confidence in our salvation and here he makes it clear that it is Satan that is attempting to tare that from us! Nevertheless, we can still have confidence and we must not let that go.

4. There are some prayers we should not pray. [1Jn.5:16,17] False (with explanation)

John makes it clear that we must pray but always couch it in the context of God’s will. (1Jn. 5:14) He is also a strong advocate of intercessory prayer.

1 John 5:16-17

16 If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. 17 All wrongdoing is sin, and there is sin that does not lead to death. (from New International Version)

Indeed we should pray for someone struggling with temptation and sin! But what about the “sin that leads to death”? Although this is not the main point for John, he detours long enough to remind us that some prayers may not be effective, at least immediately, because the person is adamantly rejecting the voice of the Holy Spirit—often called the unpardonable sin or blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 12:31,32). We must be careful, however, that we don’t become the one who determines that someone has crossed the line. The safest course is to continue to pray for the person. Many have eventually responded to the persistent prayers of loved ones.

5. When John emphasizes that “we know” he is implying that all must pass the Sabbath School quizzes. [1Jn.5:13,15,19,20] False

As important as these quizzes are ( J ) they aren’t the key to eternal life! “Knowing” for John is not limited to factual knowledge. It is a relationship with Christ and because of His gift we can be certain of eternal life.

1 John 5:13

13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.(New International Version)

John 3:16-18

16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. (New International Version)

Reflective Conclusion

Fear abounds today. The economy, the degrading worldly influences on families, terrorism, natural (unnatural) disasters all contribute to a climate of fear and it impacts each of us in some way. In the midst of this fear a banner is raised proclaiming

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you;

I have summoned you by name; you are mine.

Isa 43:1 (NIV)

We do matter after all. We are known personally by our Redeemer. Come what may we can have assurance that no one and no power can take us out of the hand of God.

Rom 8:31-39

31 What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long;

we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NIV)

Yes, we are confident and we can stay that way if we remain within God’s Global Positioning System (GPS). Our security and confidence is in Him!