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Confidence in Our Faith

Confidence in Our Faith
By Dennis Huebshman

People may ask, how can you, an intelligent human being actually believe in all this religious gobbly gook? After all, you sure take all this seriously.

Best answer I can give to that is, “Yes, I do take that seriously.” My Savior went to Calvary and hung on a cross He didn’t deserve, to pay for my sins which He never committed, and all this to give me a home with Him I don’t deserve. I’d say that should be taken seriously.

Let’s start with 1 peter 3: 13-17:

13. Who will harm you if you are devoted to what is good?
14. But in fact, if you happen to suffer for doing what is right, you are blessed. But do not be terrified of them or be shaken.
15. But set Christ apart as Lord in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks about the HOPE you possess.
Yet do it with courtesy and respect keeping a good conscience so that those who slander your good conduct may be put to shame when they accuse you.
16. For it is better to suffer for doing good if God wills, rather than for doing evil.

Peter is telling us to always be ready to give an account of why we have faith and trust in the Lord. We will be challenged at some time, and obviously, we gain more knowledge through Bible study and therefore can give more rational answers. Also, never be afraid to admit you don’t know something, but offer to look it up and get back to a person later.

But then someone says, “I’m new at this”, or I haven’t really studied that much. ” How do you give a valid answer as to why you can feel so confident in the Bible and promises of God?

The strongest argument there is happens to be starting with the easiest verse to remember. You see it being held up at sporting events, parades and other public events.

John 3:16: For God so loved the world, He gave His one and only Son so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have everlasting life.

This is our greatest promise of all! And this is given to us FREELY, if we follow the next two verses. (Most people stop at verse 16.)

17. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world should be SAVED through Him.
How?
18. The one who believes in Him is not condemned (also see Romans 8:1). The one who does not believe has been condemned already because he has not believed in the name of the one and only Son of God.

This is the best answer to give as to our confidence in the Lord. And God does not lie (Titus 1:2 and all words in the Bible are from Him (2 Timothy 3:16)

So, don’t be afraid to give this as a reason why we have confidence in our belief in the savior and what lies ahead for us. Believe in God, Believe in Jesus and allow the Holy spirit to guide you.

Also, if you haven’t started reading God’s Love Letter (Bible), now would be a good time to start.

One of the best books to start with is John. He shows that Jesus is not only the Son of God but IS God. No, I cannot explain the Trinity – Father, Son, Holy Ghost – but I know it is real. It goes all the way back to Genesis (1:26) when God said LET US make man…meaning there was more to Him than one being. There are some people who say they can fully explain the Trinity, but as for me, I would be very Leary of them.

After John, Romans would be the next book to read. Paul teaches that even though we don’t deserve it, God has made a way for us to be with Him forever.

You may have never read the Bible before, but if you will devote just a little time in doing so each day, it will become easier, and you will actually miss it if you don’t read one day. It will become a habit for you, and after a period of time it becomes a lifestyle. By the way, get a Bible you can understand. King James is sometimes difficult to read, but the New King James puts it in more of today’s language. American Standard and English Standard Version are also useful resources that are published in easy to read language. A good study bible would be a definite advantage as many questions you may have are answered in the foot-notes.

None of this is hard but is only made so by humans who believe they can do something to gain their own salvation. They add rituals, and give praise and honor to statues of saints, which Jesus and the Father totally condemn. Everything was done for us at Calvary, and anyone who doesn’t believe this insults the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit and taints the sacrifice that was made for us.

Romans 5:8 says, “God demonstrates His own love for us in that while we were yet sinners, God sent His Son Christ Jesus to die for us.”

This tells me my sins are covered because I had not committed even one sin when Jesus was crucified. By accepting the sacrifice of our Savior, the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us and even though we do sin – All have sinned and fallen short – We are forgiven. (1 John 1: 8-10)

So, here’s where Faith comes in. If you accept Jesus, you can have the same forgiveness that God offers all who are believers. You don’t buy it. You don’t earn it. Your works are as filthy rags to the Father, but if you do works in the name of the Lord the Father will honor you. The gift is yours for the asking. Only thing is, if you call out to Jesus to save you, really mean it. Don’t go off on a long dissertation with flowery words making you sound like a TV evangelist. Just talk to Him and let Him know you are sorry for your lifestyle and wish to have Jesus as your Savior. Ask for His forgiveness and let Him know you accept the FREE GIFT He gave you.

Once you are a Child of the Father and Savior, when (not if) you sin, you have 1 John 1: 8-10 as your guide. It tells you to confess your sins to God (not man) and let Him know you are sorry for them. He is faithful and just to forgive you as He would do for Anyone. It’s a promise from the Father, and He doesn’t ever go back on a promise. And, He doesn’t keep score on how many sins you’ve committed after you confess and ask for His forgiveness.

Remember, ALL who call on the name of the Lord WILL be saved. (Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13 and Joel 2:32) Remember if you call on Him, don’t do it as a joke. God will not be mocked, however He knows your heart, and will provide salvation to those who are serious about accepting His Son!

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