Bible Study: Confidence

Romans 14:22

2 Corinthians 1:12

as focused as if she were taking a test

Taking a test can be quite a different experience depending on the confidence I have in the material. If I am not fully prepared, the test could be very stressful. If I know the material well, however, the test goes a lot faster and I approach it with an assurance of getting every answer correct. The end result gives me satisfaction rather than fear.
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Living a godly life according to a well formed conscience can give us that same satisfaction. We can approach the Lord with confidence (Heb 4:16) knowing that what we have done wrong has been covered by His own grace and we have made every effort possible to live the majority of the time according to His will. We act with assurance. We do not shrink from the criticism of others, knowing that we are living according to the Lord's approval.
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That assurance of knowing that we are acting in the right begins with a well-formed conscience. Only a foolish person in confident without reason for that confidence. When faced with eternal damnation or eternal salvation, we want to be sure our confidence is based in the Lord and His desire for us. Paul was confident in the Lord because he knew the Lord well and had invested in the relationship and in developing his conscience according to the Lord's desires. Don't take a test confidently without learning the material and don't act self-assured without embracing the Lord's desires in your heart.