Fresh Start With GodSample

Spiritual confidence is knowing in your heart who God is, who He says you are, and what He can do in and through you.

Be confident that God forgives anything and everything. Probably one of the greatest sources of frustration, discouragement, and even fear in the lives of many Christians is mistakes made in their past. Am I really forgiven? This is a question that I get so often. The answer is YES! If you've asked God to forgive you, then you are forgiven! God not only has the capacity to forgive you and cleanse you, He also has the desire and the willingness to forgive you.

It's not only the past that He forgives, but He is also ready to forgive you anytime that you stumble or fall. He knows we're not perfect and though we strive to walk in purity, there are those times when we sin and fall short of God's best. I believe that it's in those moments when our relationship with God is truly tested.

Too often, when we fail, we tend to pull back and think, what good will it do to keep asking God to forgive me? The truth is, sin is destructive and there are always consequences when we make bad decisions and give in to temptation, just like there are positive benefits and great things that flow into our lives when we make good decisions. To pull back from God when we've failed is not what He wants. He loves you and wants to help you. He will forgive you when you ask, and as you keep walking with God, He will give you the strength to keep getting up and moving forward.

Be confident in who God is and what He's done for you. When we pray and accept Jesus, asking Him to forgive us, we are accepted by God and we become His children. The Bible calls us "sons and daughters of God," which is pretty amazing. I know some people didn't have a great upbringing and maybe their father was not involved, or worse, was neglectful or abusive, but God is a good father. He loves us and cares for us and wants the best for us. The thing that we need to keep in mind is that we are His children and He will never disown us or leave us. There is nothing more that we can do to earn God's approval.

Religion is spelled DO.

Christianity is spelled DONE.

There are really two paths you can choose in your relationship with God. The first is to spend the rest of your life trying to earn God's approval by your own efforts, doing or not doing certain things. This is a very hard path because we can never be perfect and will end up falling short, feeling condemned and far from God. The second is to enjoy God's approval by accepting what Jesus Christ has already done. We desire to live a life that pleases God because of His love for us and our relationship with Him.

Religion is man's attempt to reach God.

Christianity is God reaching out to man.

Religion says, "Get your act together and God will accept you." Christianity is Jesus saying, "Come to me and I'll help you get your act together."

Religion focuses on the external.

Christianity focuses on the internal.

Religion is all about behavior modification: correct your behavior, follow certain rules, and stay in line. The essence of Christianity: a change of heart. When we allow God to change our heart, right thoughts and right actions will naturally follow.

Religion is based on knowledge.

Christianity is based on life.

The goal of Christianity isn't to know the Bible more. The goal of Christianity is to experience the Bible more! When we have a relationship with Him, we have an understanding of His character and heart toward us.

Be confident of who you are in Christ. Our confidence needs to be in God, not in ourselves. The biggest part of being confident in God is being confident in His Word, the Bible. God's Word plays an incredible role in our lives. When it comes to building you up and strengthening your life on the inside, nothing can replace it. Being spiritually confident means knowing what the Bible says about you.

I've listed a few confessions out for you. Take some time, look up the verses, and start praying these thoughts over your life. This exercise helped me learn the Bible and build a strong framework of the right spiritual identity in my life.

l am the light of the world. (Matthew 5:14)

l am the righteousness of God in Jesus Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

I am holy and without blame before Him in love. (Ephesians 1:3-14)

I am greatly loved by God. (Ephesians 2:4, Colossians 3:12)

I am alive with Christ. (Ephesians 2:4-5)

I am created in Christ to do good works. (Ephesians 2:10)

I have the peace of God that passes understanding. (Philippians 4:7)

I can do all things through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:13)

I am made strong by His power. (Colossians 1:11)

I am whole and complete in Him. (Colossians 2:10)

Reflection Questions

1. Which of the previous "I am…" statements most challenges your current thoughts about who you are?

2. Do you have mindsets, perspectives or even habits that are rooted in "religion" rather than "relationship"?

3. Which area of spiritual confidence do you need to grow in most (confidence that God forgives anything and everything, confidence in who God is and what He's done for you, or confidence about who you are in Christ)?