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AAs the modern century continues to unfold , we see more and more persons living on this planet who are overwhelmed and depressed . They have lost all confidence in governments , the family structure and even religion . It seems like we have entered into that era described by the author Charles Dickens , in “ A Tale of Two Cities ”. “ It was the best of times , it was the worst of times ,” everywhere men and women are looking for the answers to life ’ s questions .
The Church , sadly has found herself in a similar state . Many believers today have lost confidence in the Church , its institutions , its systems and ceremonies … to this I say , IT ’ S ABOUT TIME !! I believe that as a Church we are currently reaping the fruit of the seeds we have sown . Decades of preaching a self-help psychology based gospel has caused more disillusionment and has driven Jesus ’ Bride further away from Him .
We were taught to have faith in our faith , name it and claim it , we developed a gospel to fix our heads while our spirit man went hungry . 2 Corinthians 4:16 states , “ For which cause we faint not ; but though our outward man perish , yet the inward man is renewed day by day .” in Christ
Somehow we seemed to have flipped the script . Our confidence was meant to only come from Christ , not from a religious system . We have been long driven by success rather than being led by the Spirit of God . For decades we have lived unconsciously from the mantra “ If it is good , it is God .” God cannot be defined as just good , HE IS GOD . He says He can turn the bad into good . We must find that place in our lives when we had stopped trusting in God , started trusting in ourselves , repent and return to the Lord . It is Christ who will present us faultless to His Father , not our works . In fact the Bible teaches that all the work we need to do is to believe .
John 6:29 “ This is the work of God , that you believe on Him whom He has sent .”
We are called to have full trust and confidence in Christ as a believer . To trust anyone else or anything else will lead to failure and stress . Paul wrote , “ Being confident of this very thing , that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ ” Phil 1:6 . Our confidence must be rooted in the fact that Jesus has already finished the work . “ CHRIST IN US ,” [ Christ in you ] the Hope Of Glory .” Colossians 1:27 . Our confidence is not afar off , Christ is in us . Religion keeps us looking outwards , into the future , some day . But God the Father has invested all that heaven has to offer in us . We must be confident in His Words not in our strength .
Finally , Peter walked on the water toward Jesus on one word , Jesus said “ Come ” and Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on water . Even in this moment of miraculous triumph the other eleven disciples didn ’ t trust Jesus ’ word to also step out of the boat . The Bible teaches us that when Peter observed the winds he doubted and began to sink . We cannot lose sight of Jesus ’ words to us . He states , “ He will never leave us nor forsake us .” Do we believe ? No matter what you are going through , God ’ s words can be trusted , no matter what happens . Our only responsibility is to act upon His word in our lives . “ Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word .” Romans 10:12 Faith is not a thought , a dream , or a fantasy , faith is responding to God ’ s word . It is LIVING REALITY that God is withIN you . That is confidence in God . p
By Dino Nicholas A Maranatha Ministries International Pastor , Author , Leadership Counsellor and Church planter
12 | SHARE | MAGAZINE April - June 2018