In the previous verse (verse 17), John tells us how to have confidence or boldness on the Day of Judgment. And in verse 18, he tells us how to cast fear out of our lives. These are simply positive and negative ways of saying the same thing: getting rid of fear is the negative way …
Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened to me has actually served to advance the Gospel.
.16 Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be.17 How precious to me are Your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them!18 Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand— when I awake, I am still with You.
15 “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can …
But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
7 Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?8 If I go up to the heavens, You are there; if I make my bed in the depths, You are there.9 If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea,10 even there Your hand will guide me, Your right hand will hold …
You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.’”
So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends of God.
11 For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.12 It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us to redeem us from all …