A Christian’s Confidence
A Christian’s Confidence
Text: Acts 26:22-28 ” 22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: 23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. 24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad. 25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. 26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. 27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. 28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.”
A Christian is known by his level of confidence in the face of threat, challenges, trials or persecution. Like the patriarchs before us, we must be resolute in God and not bow to fear. This confidence is a special kind because it is powered by the Holy Spirit. Peter only became confident to face kings and persecution after he had been endued with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4).
That Peter that spoke boldly with power was different from the one who denied Jesus Christ in the presence of a little girl. That’s the power of the Holy Spirit. We must therefore continue to crave for an unending communion with the Holy Spirit because therein lies the source of our confidence. We must confidently resist sin especially when it is anchored by those who have authority over us. A Christian must resist the encouragement to cheat, steal, manipulate records or fraudulently change financial figures even when he is threatened to do so.
As we put cowardice away, we will be just like Christ and sinners will cry out for mercy and ask, “show me the way.”
