HOLY SPIRIT CONFIDENCE

Sometimes the concept of boldness can come across pushy or arrogant. This attitude or perception all stems from who or what is the source of one's boldness. If you are bold in yourself, this can only go so far. However, if you are bold because you are aided and deliver credit where due then you will go far. As a Christian, by myself, I can do some "good" things. However, with the Holy Spirit by my side I can do marvelous things. Christ said, "Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father." (Matt. 14:12) Now that is a boldness builder in the right perspective!

To me, Confidence is a slightly better word for boldness. How do believers acquire this confidence? Believe in the Finished Work of Christ Jesus. Trust that Jesus has fulfilled every aspect of The Law. As our High Priest, He has supernaturally experienced everything, especially the hardships, without reacting/responding incorrectly or sinning. Christ has paid the price for our confidence in all that He is and can do by dying for us and taking back His life from death, Hell and the grave.

• "Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." (Hebrews 4:14-15)

The next verse begins with the encouraging, allowing words - "Let us then...". This beginning phrase calls us to action. These three words say, Because of what Christ has done. It has a challenge not to shy away from all that God has provided through Jesus, which Paul mentions we can come confidently before Father God and petition Him about. 

• "Let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

The word "confidence" in this verse, according to my research, is a combination of two Greek words - meta and parrhesia. Meta means accompaniment. Parrhesia means out spokenness due to assurance; confidence. You combine these two and the believer has Holy Spirit Confidence or Accompanied Confidence to "approach God's throne of grace". Talk about your Blessed Assurance!!! 

Observe what the believer finds by being confident in Christ - mercy and grace "in our time of need". Furthermore, Paul elaborates on what the believer can obtain from confidence in Christ six chapters later in Hebrews.

• "Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching." (Hebrews 10:19-25)

Observe....

1. Confidence allows us to draw near to God with a sincere heart. ("let us draw near to God with a sincere heart")
2. Confidence allows for assurance in what we belive. ("the full assurance that faith brings".)
3. Confidence in Christ eliminates a guilty conscience. ("having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience")
4. Confidence in Jesus assures us of our purification. ("having our bodies washed with pure water.")
5. Confidence in our Hope, Christ Jesus, attests to His faithfulness in our lives. ("Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.")
6. Confidence helps us help others. ("And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another")

All of this is available to us because of what Christ did for us. So, do not be shy. Do not be timid, scared or apprehensive about approaching Father God directly. Jesus is The Way and The Truth and The Life (John 14:6). No one comes to Father God except by Christ Jesus and He has provided us the means to do so with Holy Spirit Confidence.