The Freedom and Confidence in Christ Jesus!

“In him [Jesus Christ] and through faith in him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.” – Ephesians 3:12 NIV

When we have committed ourselves that we are going to follow Jesus Christ in order to get to God, our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6), it is vital to know that we can approach Him through faith with freedom and confidence. This is because the word of God proclaims, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) In other words, we have not been saved by works but through faith of Jesus Christ out of the mercy and the grace of God, even though Ephesians 2:10 and Matthew 7:21 points out that we are supposed to do good works. What these verses really mean is that out of our faith in Christ Jesus, we are supposed to do good works through the Spirit of God (John 14:15-17,26-27; Ezekiel 36:26-27) Thus, for this reason, the word of God declares,

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. (Titus 3:3-8)

Hence, we ought to be careful to not get confused with the faith in Christ Jesus and the works of God. To be more specific about these two, if we have been saved by the works of God, then we would have been already dead due to the fact that we are sinners and we are not perfect, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) Because of this, God has called us just to believe Jesus, then we will be able to be saved by the mercy and the grace of God and gain eternal life at the end of the age (John 3:16-18).

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)

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)

Since topic of this devotional is about faith with freedom and confidence—I would like to share a biblical version of a short poem by Jacqui Caetano, who became my partner in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and this video that I found long time ago - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1IAhDGYlpqY.

“Jesus is not religion, religion changes you on the outside,

God , Jesus, Holy Spirit lives in me and changes me from the inside out. (1 Samuel 16:7) This is genuine change. (Romans 12:1-2)

Jesus in the Head is religion.

Jesus in the Heart is understanding. (Galatians 2:16;19-21)

Jesus' Hands and feet—that's love in action. (Matthew 5:14-16)

Heart to heart - Jesus wants to have that conversation (Philippians 4:6-7), we become the gospel incarnate as we share that gospel (2 Corinthians 5:18-20).”