2 minute read.
Daily Reading: Job 31:1-33:33 ESV, 2 Corinthians 3:1-18 ESV, Psalm 43:1-5 ESV, Proverbs 22:8-9 ESV
Daily Verse: “Such is the confidence that we have through Christ toward God.” (2 Corinthians 3:4 ESV)
PEPOITHESIS (4006): “Denotes “persuasion, assurance, confidence,” and is translated “confidence” in 2 Cor. 3:4.”[i]
Translated confidence.
Following Jesus gives us confidence. As we practice the teachings of Christ, we’ll become more and more sure of following Him. However, our faith won’t grow if we don’t try.
As a coach, building confidence in my players happens over time. The more they practice their tennis strokes and movement, the more confident they become as a player. But without practice, they don’t feel sure of themselves.
The same thing happens when taking a test. If you don’t study, you won’t feel confident when the time comes to take the test. As a person who struggled in college, I know this feeling well. Thirty years later, I still have dreams of taking an exam unprepared.
Practiced confidence.
Doctors practice medicine because they don’t have all the answers. They make decisions based on the knowledge in front of them. The longer doctors practice, the more confident they become in their choices.
In the same way, we practice following Christ. Each day, we make decisions based on our knowledge. The more we know about Jesus, the better our choices will become. As we grow in Christ, our confidence grows as well.
But if we don’t practice what Jesus teaches, we won’t become better at following Him. Instead of trusting Jesus, we’ll place our trust in things of this world. When we do, we will find ourselves separated from God and not enjoying the grace and mercy He offers.
Become more confident in your walk with God one day at a time. Spend time learning about Jesus and mimicking what He did. The more you practice, the more confident you will become.
