Spiritual Confidence and the Witness of God
Spiritual Confidence and the Witness of God
Spiritual confidence is rooted in the believer's relationship with God, fostered through faith in Christ and the witness of the Holy Spirit. According to Ephesians 3:12, believers "may enter God's presence with boldness and confidence" through faith in Christ [1]. This confidence is not self-generated but is a product of trust in God's character and faithfulness.
The witness of God is a crucial aspect of spiritual confidence. The Holy Spirit testifies to the believer about their sonship and the truth of God's promises. In 1 John 5:10, it is written that "he who believes in the Son of God has the witness in himself" [4]. This internal witness is a source of confidence for believers, assuring them of their standing before God.
The biblical concept of confidence is closely tied to faithfulness. Believers are called to be faithful in their service to God, declaring His word, and bearing witness to Christ [3]. Faithfulness is a characteristic of saints, as seen in Ephesians 1:1 and Colossians 1:2 [3]. The faithful preaching of the apostles was accompanied by the witness of the Holy Spirit, confirming the message of salvation [2].
The witness of the Holy Spirit is a vital component of spiritual confidence. According to John Gill, the Spirit bears witness to the believer's sonship, providing assurance in times of doubt [6]. This witness is not limited to the individual but is also evident in the community of believers. In Acts 5:32, Peter and John testify that they are witnesses of Christ, along with the Holy Spirit, who attests to the truth of their message [5].
Spiritual confidence is not without its challenges. Believers may face doubts and uncertainties, but the witness of God provides a foundation for trust. As seen in Psalm 119:29, the psalmist prays, "O Lord, put me not to shame," expressing his confidence in God's faithfulness [7]. In times of trial, believers can draw on the confidence that comes from knowing God's character and promises.
The Reformed tradition, as represented by John Calvin's contemporaries, emphasizes the role of the Holy Spirit in bearing witness to the believer's salvation. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, the Spirit's witness is a crucial aspect of the believer's confidence, as it testifies to the truth of God's promises [4]. In contrast, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, highlights the importance of personal experience and the inner witness of the Spirit in confirming one's faith [8].
Sources
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:12 (BSB) — In Him and through faith in Him we may enter God’s presence with boldness and confidence.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Witness of the Holy Spirit — Is truth -- 1Jo 5:6. To be implicitly received -- 1Jo 5:6,9. Borne to Christ As Messiah. -- Lu 3:22; Joh 1:32,33. As coming to redeem and sanctify. -- 1Jo 5:6. As exalted to be a Prince and Saviour to give repentance, &c. -- Ac 5:31,32. As perfecting saints. -- Heb 10:14,15. As foretold by himself. -- Joh 15:26. In heaven. -- 1Jo 5:7,11. On earth. -- 1Jo 5:8. The first preaching of the gospel confirmed by -- Ac 14:3; Heb 2:4. The faithful preaching of the Apostles accompanied by -- 1Co 2:4; 1Th 1:5. Given to saints On believing. -- Ac 15:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Faithfulness — A characteristic of saints -- Eph 1:1; Col 1:2; 1Ti 6:2; Re 17:14. Exhibited in The service of God. -- Mt 24:45. Declaring the word of God. -- Jer 23:28; 2Co 2:17; 4:2. The care of dedicated things. -- 2Ch 31:12. Helping the brethren. -- 3Jo 1:5. Bearing witness. -- Pr 14:5. Reproving others. -- Pr 27:6; Ps 141:5. Situations of trust. -- 2Ki 12:15; Ne 13:13; Ac 6:1-3. Doing work. -- 2Ch 34:12. Keeping secrets. -- Pr 11:13. Conveying messages. -- Pr 13:17; 25:13. All things. -- 1Ti 3:11. The smallest matters. -- Lu 16:10-12. Should be to death -- Re 2:1”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 5:10: hath the witness--of God, by His Spirit (Jo1 5:8). in himself--God's Spirit dwelling in him and witnessing that "Jesus is the Lord," "the Christ," and "the Son of God" (Jo1 5:1, Jo1 5:5). The witness of the Spirit in the believer himself to his own sonship is not here expressed, but follows as a consequence of believing the witness of God to Jesus' divine Sonship. believeth not God--credits not His witness. made him a liar--a consequence which many who virtually, or even avowedly, do not believe, may well startle back from as fearful blasphemy an”
- Acts (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Acts 5:32: we are his witnesses . . . and the Holy Ghost--They as competent human witnesses to facts, and the Holy Ghost as attesting them by undeniable miracles.”
- Romans (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Romans 8:16: The Spirit itself beareth witness,.... The thing which the Spirit of God witnesses to is, that we are the sons of God; which supposes the case in some sense doubtful and uncertain, at least that it is called in question; not by others, though it sometimes is, as by Satan, which need not seem strange, since he called in question the sonship of Christ himself, and by the world who know them not, and by good men, till better informed: but the testimony of the Spirit is not the satisfaction of others, but the saints themselves; who are ready to doubt of it at times, bec”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 119:29: I have stuck unto thy testimonies,.... The word of God, the Scriptures of truth, and the doctrines contained in them. These he closely adhered to, was glued unto them as it were; having firmly believed them, he steadfastly professed them; nor could he be moved from them by any temptations whatever, notwithstanding the reproach cast upon them and him for their sake, or the opposition made unto them; O Lord, put me not to shame: or let me not be ashamed of the choice I have made, of the testimonies I adhere unto, of my hope and confidence in the Lord and his word; o”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 5:10: He that believeth on the Son of God - This is God's witness to a truth, the most important and interesting to mankind. God has witnessed that whosoever believeth on his Son shall be saved, and have everlasting life; and shall have the witness of it in himself, the Spirit bearing witness with his spirit that he is a child of God. To know, to feel his sin forgiven, to have the testimony of this in the heart from the Holy Spirit himself, is the privilege of every true believer in Christ.”