2 Corinthians 7:16

The Christian's Confidence in Others

Winning someone's confidence is not always easy! That's probably because we've experience many let-downs: He said that he'd be there, but he wasn't. She said she'd help, but she didn't. They assured us of their support, but they failed.  

Writing to the Christians in Corinth, Paul expressed his gladness for the confidence he had in them. A surprising statement because this was the congregation in which there was infighting, divisiveness and greed. There was a tolerance of immorality among its members, adultery, divorce and drunkenness. They abused the sacrament and had disorderly worship.

How could Paul write to them and say, "I am glad I can have complete confidence in you"? There's only one explanation. It was because Paul's confidence relied on the One who was at work in them. He had confronted their sin with God's law, and they responded with repentance. He addressed their sinful behavior with the power of God’s Word, and they changed their ways. He was confident that sinners, into whose hearts the love of the Savior had flowed, were producing fruit and would continue to do so.

One thing is for sure…we can have confidence in our God. He is faithful to his word; he always fulfills his promises. Jesus is clear proof. God’s marvelous message of salvation has restored us to him—made us members of his eternal family. And God continues to use the gospel of Christ to help us live faithfully as his followers and strive to be trustworthy with people in our lives.

So, tell your Christian brothers and sisters of the gladness that is yours because of them. Do so in the spirit of the gospel that won them—and you—for Christ! This is our confidence!