By Jeffery M. Leonard, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Biblical & Religious Studies, Samford University
WHEN YOUR CONFIDENCE FALLS SHORT
1 John 3:21–4:6
Few characters in the New Testament are more interesting (or more important) than John the Baptist. The Gospel writers’ descriptions of John lend a sort of wildness to his character (see Matt. 3). He was, however, the first person to recognize Jesus as the Messiah.
Luke tells us that while John was still in Elizabeth’s womb and Jesus still in Mary’s, John “leaped inside her” when the unborn Jesus approached (Luke 1:41). John would remain faithful to Jesus all the way to his martyrdom at the hand of Herod (Mark 6:24).
Given John’s indefatigable devotion to Jesus, it is fascinating to note one particular episode in the relationship between the two. On the heels of Jesus’ raising the widow’s son at Nain (Luke 7:11–17), John sent a most curious message to Jesus: “Are you the One who is to come, or should we expect someone else?” The same John who had recognized Jesus in the womb, baptized Jesus and heralded His arrival as the long-awaited Messiah now seemed to suffer a crisis of confidence.
As Jesus’ ministry lingered on with little sign of His kicking out the Romans, John began to wonder if he had pinned his messianic hopes on the right man.
We stand confidently as we remain in Christ and obey Him. (3:21–24)
If a figure as “larger than life” as John the Baptist could experience a crisis of confidence, it stands to reason that regular followers of Christ like ourselves could go through difficult seasons.
Fortunately, another John — this time the author of 1 John — gives us words of encouragement for these difficult moments.
John’s first note of instruction is both exceedingly simple and manifestly sensible: Spiritual confidence comes from living lives that please Jesus. John clarifies that such a life involves keeping Jesus’ commandments and loving one another. When we know we are living within the boundaries Jesus set for us, a certain confidence is bound to follow. And when we follow in Jesus’ footsteps by loving our neighbors, that sense of confidence can only be bolstered.
Not everyone who claims to speak for God walks in the truth of Christ. (4:1–3)
Taking matters one step further, John (the author of 1 John), gives us a standard for evaluating the messages of those who claim to speak for God. John’s standard is this: Those who confess that Jesus Christ “has come in the flesh” are worthy of a further hearing.
Those who do not are false teachers and are not to be believed. There may be 1,000 minor points of doctrinal disagreement that we can decide to accept in a spirit of charity. One bright line, however, dividing those with whom we can “agree to disagree” and those whom we should reject outright, is the incarnation.
We stand confidently because the One we stand in is victorious. (4–6)
If we hold fast to the truth of the incarnation, obey the Incarnate One’s commands and follow in His footsteps by loving our neighbors, confidence in our beliefs and our spiritual destination will surely follow. By doing these things, though, we can also gain a measure of confidence concerning the reception of our message by others. We can only present the message of Jesus and seek to do as He commanded us. Whether others will respond — to Jesus, not to us — lies beyond our control.
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