A New Creation walks with confidence and fearlessness
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 4:1-5, Acts 23:1
1 Corinthians 4:1-5 says, “Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the
mysteries of God. Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful. But with me it is
a very small thing that I should be judged by you or by a human court. In fact, I do not even
judge myself. For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this; but He who
judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will
both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each
one’s praise will come from God.” Paul is relating the fruit of the sons of God, especially
regarding the fruit of redemption. Af-es-is. “For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not
justified by this; but He who judges me is the Lord. Therefore judge nothing before the time, until
the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the
counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” Wow! “I know nothing
against myself.” That is a confident statement! Paul had the assurance that the past record of
wrongdoings was as a nonexistent thing. After Paul had his dramatic encounter with Christ, he
became a new creation, and he began to live a fearless life. The gift of redemption is apparent in
these bold statements from both Acts and 1 Corinthians and clearly affirm his freedom. Because
Paul was a new creation he walked with confidence and fearlessness, therefore he could do
anything through Christ who provided strength. Are we going to follow his example and arise to
this freedom?
Real Life Examples of Jonathan Edwards and Matt Jukes.
There was a Case study 19th century 2 families
Matt Jukes & Jonathan Edwards
Matt was an atheist who married an unbeliever – traced 560 descendants
310 died as paupers
150 criminals – 7 murderers
100 drunkards
More than half of the women were prostitutes
Jonathan a revivalist married a believer – traced 1394 descendants
295 graduated college, 13 became college presidents & 65 professors
3 senators, 3 governors many ambassadors
100 lawyers, 30 judges, 56 doctors
75 army or navy officers
80 held public office – 3 mayors, head US treasury official, vice president
Cost to society zero, contribution to society immeasurable
The 98 % uncoded DNA contain latent switches that are waiting to be triggered
What triggers them?
Nurture
Trauma – Our emotions are affected by all the trauma, all the hurts, all the betrayal, all the abuse:
disappointment, pain, and rejection we have felt and experienced. And we have to admit we have hurt
other people as well as being hurt by them. If you are feeling anger or withdrawal or depression, all
those things arise from emotions we have not dealt with
Environment and Sin.
Generational behaviour
- Christian’s standards, morals and guidance based on love
- Non-Christians instincts based on self-protection, self-preservation, or self-gratification.
Pray about what you want to pass on to the next person in your family or the next
generation?