When Christians talk about the confidence that we have in and through Christ, we often refer to our confidence being justified in his work of atonement. Christ’s atoning sacrifice for the full payment for our sin is certainly a significant reason for our confidence. One might even say it is THE significant reason for our confidence. Knowing that we no longer stand before God facing condemnation should put an extra boldness in our lives. Even so, we should realize that the confidence we have in Christ encompasses not just the success of the cross for us but also Christ’s exaltation having completed it. Our confidence is also in the fact that our Savior is seated in a reigning authority that has no equal. We have confidence in Christ’s full payment for our sins on the cross. We have confidence in Christ’s resurrection as a certain hope in victory over death. We have confidence in Christ’s ascension into heaven in complete acceptance of his vicarious work for us. And we have confidence that the one who loved us and died for us is the supreme King of an eternally undefeatable, glorious kingdom to which we belong.
If Jesus’ death and resurrection resulted in less than his absolute reign over all creation for all eternity, how could we be sure that the results of the cross for us would remain intact? Temporal success in this world gives us confidence for a time, but eventually it ends or is superseded by a greater problem. Eventually time and death bring an end to every earthly victory of man. Jesus did not simply win an earthly victory on the cross. He won a universal comprehensive victory over all matter, space, and time and over every realm both physical and spiritual. The Kingdom of Heaven has broken into this world with the coming of the King. He has overcome the world through his death and resurrection and sits in absolute authority and power as the undisputed victorious King. Both man and Satan’s attempt to exalt self in defiance of God have been overcome in the cross and is eternally destroyed in the eternal reign of the victorious King Jesus. Our eternal confidence is never misplaced in the exaltation of Christ as King of his eternally victorious kingdom. The success of the cross has crushed the curse of sin and death, defeated every enemy, and exalted the King in the highest place. This is the testimony of Scripture.
[Philippians 2:5-11 ESV] 5 Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, 6 who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, 7 but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. 9 Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
[Ephesians 1:19-23 ESV] 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all.
[Acts 5:30-32 ESV] 30 The God of our fathers raised Jesus, whom you killed by hanging him on a tree. 31 God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. 32 And we are witnesses to these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him.
[1 Peter 3:22 ESV] 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels, authorities, and powers having been subjected to him.
[Acts 7:55-56 ESV] 55 But he, full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. 56 And he said, "Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God."
[Revelation 19:11-16 ESV] 11 Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. 13 He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. 14 And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. 15 From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has a name written, King of kings and Lord of lords.
Christ is King – That’s confidence – If you are in Christ.