Confidence is More Than Hope
You see it everywhere—sports teams, public speakers, bullies, preachers. What is “it”? It is confidence sometimes to the point of arrogance. But what happens when the team loses “a slam dunk” to another team? Or a speaker is booed off the stage? Or a bully tries to push around a humble black belt achiever? Or a preacher sees several heads nodding off while he’s into his message?
If confidence is nothing more than pride dressed up in hope, the instances above can severely damage one’s psyche. Let’s look at the other side of the coin: confidence spawned by truth.
The first question
we must answer is “Where did you get ‘your’ truth”? Think about it. Everybody has a version of truth. Seriously, who would knowingly build their life on a lie? But there is an enemy who is sneaky, who dresses up lies in right-sounding, emotion-tugging words that lead many to fatal conclusions.
The good news is, there is One who IS the truth, speaks the truth, demands the truth from His followers. His name is Jesus Christ. From His own mouth came these words, “I am the way and the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6, emphasis added). Notice, it’s not “a” truth, it’s “the” truth. Many believe this is too restrictive for their chosen life path. And it is a pretty bold claim unless it’s true. Stay with me. Let’s assume that it is true.
The second question
we must deal with, is “What am I going to do about it?” Everyone who has ever lived has had to deal with this question. To not deal with it, is to accept the default (bad) choice. Another reality is that everyone dies. And that event ushers us into the afterlife. I know many don’t believe this and think that after we die, that’s the end. In truth, it’s a new beginning.
The Bible tells us, “it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment (Heb. 9:27). There would be no judgment if there were no afterlife. In another quote from Jesus He says, “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places, if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. (John 14:6). Why would He prepare a place for us if death was the end of everything? And we know that Jesus cannot lie (Tit. 1:2).
This truth can be a frightening
expectation for those who haven’t made a conscious choice to follow Jesus. But consider other aspects of life. There are, literally, thousands of choices we make. Some are good. Some not so much. What makes the difference between these?
Aren’t ‘good’ choices based on doing the research that produces truth? Likewise ‘bad’ choices are often the default and seem to happen when we’ve not bothered to challenge the messages and motives behind them.
I’d like to offer you a challenge.
You have a choice. You can either choose the narrow way (Matt. 7:13,14), which leads to eternal life in heaven, or the wide way that leads to destruction (eternity in hell). If I’m wrong and you follow my example, I believe you will have lived a better, more fulfilling life on earth than if you choose the other path. But, if I’m right and you don’t follow my example, your future in eternity is as bleak as bleak can be (weeping and gnashing of teeth; unquenchable fire, etc.).
In the same section of Scripture, Jesus offers this warning, “Beware of the false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruits” (Matt. 7:15,16). My prayer is that everyone reading this will recognize the truth of what’s written here and make a choice to follow Jesus. If you don’t, there’ll be no acceptable excuse when you stand before the judge of the universe.
In the back of this book
(or click here if you’re reading this online) is a section called “Steps to Salvation.” It was included for you. I’m confident, not just hopeful, in what I’ve written and asked of you because I know the Author whose words I’ve quoted. I do have hope, however, that I’ll see you on the other side.
Thanks for reading.