Being Confident of This
Very Thing
Philippians 1:5-6; Job 31:24-28
of this very thing – specific nature of God’s promises. There is no ambiguity in God’s dealing with His children. Our God is an exacting God.
that he which hath begun - enarxamenoV / Aor Ptc - labor, toil, cultivation -
Rom. 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.
a good work in you/ beneficial, pleasant, agreeable, excellent, honorable.
Eph. 2:4-10 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Phil. 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
ABSOLUTE CONFIDENCE IN GOD'S ATTRIBUTES - His work is bound up in His eternality -
will perform it - Fut Act ind - accomplish, achieve, finish, fulfill as in a promise.
2 Thess. 2:14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ps 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands.
1 Thess. 5:24 Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Heb. 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 Cor. 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Notice some important principles that we can draw from the Scripture regarding being confident.
It is serious business to have confidence in the wrong things - There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. Prov. 16:25; 14:12
Prov. 12:15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes: but he that hearkeneth unto counsel is wise.
Prov. 30:12 There is a generation that are pure in their own eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.
Matt. 7:13-14 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Rom. 6:21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Eph. 5:6 Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
A reverential fear will bring confidence in God – Prov. 14:26 In the fear of the lord is strong confidence: and his children shall have a place of refuge.
Prov. 3:25-26 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.
Prov. 19:23 The fear of the LORD tendeth to life: and he that hath it shall abide satisfied; he shall not be visited with evil.
Ps. 34:9-10 O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.
Ps. 112:7-8 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
The grace to undergo great difficulty comes from confidence in God - Be not afraid of sudden fear...for the Lord shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken. Prov. 3:25-26
Faith when no victory is apparent is to rightly place confidence in God - David and Goliath
Boldness is a result of confidence - Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him. Acts 28:31
Our confidence is strengthened as we are obedient to the Lord - I John 3:19-22; 5:14-15
Abiding in Christ will give confidence at His appearing - I John 2:28