Confidence, basis of

The confidence of believers, is grounded in God's character, actions and trustworthy promises, rather than human achievements.

Confidence originates with God

In his unchanging and faithful nature

Numbers 23:19; Titus 1:1–2 See also 1 Samuel 15:29; Psalm 33:11, Psalm 102:27; Proverbs 3:26; Isaiah 49:23; Malachi 3:6; 2 Timothy 1:12; James 1:17

God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began.

In his covenant

Jeremiah 32:40; Hebrews 9:15 See also Genesis 9:16 with all living creatures; Genesis 17:7 with Abraham; 2 Samuel 7:13 with the house of David; 2 Samuel 23:5; Psalm 89:34; Isaiah 54:10, Isaiah 55:3; Ezekiel 16:60; Acts 3:25

I will make an everlasting covenant with them: I will never turn away from doing good to them, and I will put My fear in their hearts, so that they will never turn away from Me.

Therefore Christ is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, now that He has died to redeem them from the transgressions committed under the first covenant.

In election

Deuteronomy 7:6; Romans 8:28 See also Isaiah 41:9–10; Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 8:33; 1 Corinthians 1:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:24; 2 Timothy 2:19

For you are a people holy to the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be a people for His prized possession out of all peoples on the face of the earth.

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose.

In his past deliverances

Psalm 22:4–5; Romans 8:31–32 See also Deuteronomy 7:18, Deuteronomy 20:1; Joshua 1:5; 1 Samuel 17:37; 1 Kings 8:57; Psalm 44:1–5, Psalm 78:2–4; 2 Corinthians 1:10

In You our fathers trusted; they trusted and You delivered them. They cried out to You and were set free; they trusted in You and were not disappointed.

What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, how will He not also, along with Him, freely give us all things?

In his word

Isaiah 55:10–11 See also Psalm 89:34, Psalm 119:74, Psalm 130:5; Romans 15:4; 1 Peter 1:25; 2 Peter 1:19

For just as rain and snow fall from heaven and do not return without watering the earth, making it bud and sprout, and providing seed to sow and food to eat, so My word that proceeds from My mouth will not return to Me empty, but it will accomplish what I please, and it will prosper where I send it.

In his promises

Joshua 23:14; Hebrews 10:23 See also 1 Kings 8:20; Psalm 119:140; 2 Peter 1:4

Now behold, today I am going the way of all the earth, and you know with all your heart and soul that not one of the good promises the LORD your God made to you has failed. Everything was fulfilled for you; not one promise has failed.

Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.

Confidence is centred on Jesus Christ

Romans 8:38–39 See also Acts 17:31; Romans 8:1; 2 Corinthians 1:20; Colossians 1:27; 1 Timothy 3:13; Hebrews 7:22, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 9:15; 1 Peter 2:6; Isaiah 28:16

For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor principalities, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Confidence is mediated by the Holy Spirit

Romans 8:16 See also 2 Corinthians 1:21–22, 2 Corinthians 5:5; Ephesians 1:13–14

The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.