Confidence, Concern, & Certainty (& Caution)
It’s been a minute, and we’ve been diving deep into the essence of what it means to be a true follower of Christ through our series in 1st John. We’ve covered a lot, but as we wrapped up, there were four crucial elements that stuck out, shaping what I like to call the “Authentic Faith Four”: Confidence, Concern, Certainty, and Caution. Let’s break it down, shall we?
Confidence in Prayer
Confidence is not just about feeling good. It’s about knowing deep down in your bones that when we hit our knees, God’s not just listening; He’s acting on our behalf. But here’s the thing—it had to be about aligning with His will. Imagine that! When our desires start mirroring what God wants, that’s when we see the real power of prayer unfold. It’s like having the right key for the right lock. Everything just clicks!
Concern for Others
This isn’t about that casual, “Hey, how you doing?” as you scoot past someone. This is about really seeing your brothers and sisters. Spotting the struggles, the sins, the hardships—and not just watching from the sidelines but stepping in with prayer and support. It’s about love in action. When you truly love someone, you don’t ignore their pain; you become part of their healing.
Certainty in Christ
Certainty in Christ—this is our rock. It’s knowing that no matter how high the waves get, our ship won’t sink because it’s Christ Himself at the helm. This assurance doesn’t mean we won’t ever sin or stumble, but it does mean sin doesn’t define us anymore. We’re defined by His victory, His life, His truth. And that’s a game-changer.
Caution Against Idols
And finally, caution. In a world where it’s easy to put anything and everything before God, this is our wake-up call. Idols aren’t just golden calves or statues. They’re anything that takes priority over God. Could be your job, your status, even your comfort. Whatever it is, if it’s in God’s spot, it’s an idol. So, let’s keep our hearts checked and our priorities straight.
Wrapping It Up
As we’ve journeyed through 1st John, these themes have challenged us, shaped us, and hopefully, spurred us to live out a faith that’s as real on Monday as it is on Sunday. Authentic faith isn’t just about believing the right things; it’s about living them out, each day, in every way.
So, what’s your take? How are you living out these truths in your life? Hit up the comments, share your thoughts, and let’s keep this conversation going. And hey, if you missed last Sunday’s sermon or just wanna hear it again, check out the full video HERE, or with the link below.
Remember, real faith affects real life. Let’s make it count.
