Philippians 1:6 English Standard Version (ESV) And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

Confidence is defined as a noun in three aspects.

The feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something; firm trust.

The state of feeling certain about the truth of something.

A feeling of self-assurance arising from one’s appreciation of one’s own abilities or qualities.

Note that all three are described as feelings, emotions and as such are subject to our interpretation. We can put our trust in someone and as soon as we perceive that they have failed us, our emotions turn towards betrayal. Something is true until evidence is brought forth to disprove it and we feel like a fool for believing it in the first place. We are human and as such have to live with the fact that getting older degrades performance. We are the same person but now we cannot perform like we did thirty years ago.

Emotions are subject to change. Is it any different when we put our faith in Christ? I had said in an earlier article that disappointment is the result of unrealistic expectations. What do you expect in this life in Christ? Yesterday I hinted that Christ wants to live His life through us. What is He doing? Do we know with any great certainty?

The confidence Paul shows in Philippians 1:6 is experiential. He lived a life as a Pharisee with pride and confidence. Then Paul got knocked off his high horse and his self-confidence was destroyed. When he turned over his life to Christ his experiences told him that this Christ was God with every good blessing, every obstacle overcome, and every doubt erased.  What Christ did in him came first. What Christ did through him came second and the results being worked out in the lives of the church came third.

Nothing beats results when it comes to gaining confidence.

1 Corinthians 2:2 English Standard Version (ESV) For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

How did Paul decide this? The terms of condition here are interesting. This is like a contract between Paul and the Corinthians. Paul means he will not teach anything but Christ. Paul did not know Jesus in the flesh. He did not walk with Jesus for three years during His earthly ministry. Paul was free from the burden of knowing the man as He served the Father.

Why should we consider this knowledge a burden? Which Christ do we choose to follow, the man with His example in life or the one that sits on the throne? If we follow the ministry in the life and times of the man, first we have to find out what He did and said. Secondly we have to understand His motivation. Thirdly we would then try to duplicate a life we never could have lived.

If we follow the Lord on the throne things become a little easier. Then we only need to hear His commands and obey. Loyalty to a sovereign God eliminates the need to understand the motivation because we would not be trying to duplicate a life that is not ours to live.

Galatians 2:20 English Standard Version (ESV) I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

It is a hard concept to accept if we insist on being in control. We always have a choice and that never stops being true. Are we going to be loyal to our Lord and do as we are asked or are we going to choose to do it our way? Who do we have more confidence in, our Lord or ourselves?