Evidence of Our Confidence

Colossians 1:24-29

24 Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and
fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of
Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the
church:
25 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the
dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to
fulfil the word of God;
26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages
and from generations, but now is made manifest to
his saints:
27 To whom God would make known what is the riches
of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles;
which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:
28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching
every man in all wisdom; that we may present every
man perfect in Christ Jesus:
29 Whereunto I also labour, striving according to
his working, which worketh in me mightily.

From a roman prison, Paul writes to Colosse about our confidence in Jesus Christ and rejoices in his suffering. Paul says God has allowed him to suffer so that he may be filled up with faith and that which is lacking...

2 Corinthians 1:3-7

3 Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all
comfort;
4 Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we
may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble,
by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted
of God.
5 For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so
our consolation also aboundeth by Christ.
6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your
consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the
enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer:
or whether we be comforted, it is for your
consolation and salvation.
7 And our hope of you is stedfast, knowing, that as
ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye be
also of the consolation.

James 1:2-4

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into
divers temptations;
3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith
worketh patience.
4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye
may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

What has God done to comfort you in hard times or tribulations? Jesus said, "In the world you will have tribulation, but behold I have overcome the world." It is in the hard times that we grow in faith and learn to rely on God that our confidence in Jesus Christ increases. Like Paul, can you face the hard times with all joy? If so, you show your confidence in the Lord to be great.

Reference: Pastor Al Pittman
Calvary Worship Center, Colorado Springs, CO
Sermon

The Grim Reaper Preacher says, "Try reading the Bible from cover to cover - you'll like it."