Recently, my Bible study group has talked quite a bit about boldness. We are to be humble when we approach people, no doubt, but that does not mean we should not be bold. Often, we weakly approach people, if we approach them at all, not wanting to offend we may say something to them about God loving them, or have a blessed day, and those things can be a blessing, but how often do we speak boldly?
Bold As A Lion
In Proverbs 28:1, we find Solomon telling us that the righteous are as "bold as a lion."
Our strength to speak boldly comes from the Lord.
"according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through faith in Him." Ephesians 3: 11-12
Eight times in the book of Acts the apostles are described as preaching boldly. They aren't described as timidly looking for the right opportunity to speak a few words to someone they know very well about Christ. No, they are described as preaching the word of God boldly to the masses that were in Jerusalem. They went from hiding in a room afraid they would be arrested, to boldly preaching with faith and power about Jesus. What made the difference? The gift of the Holy Spirit!
What were they preaching in Acts? They were boldly proclaiming that Jesus had been resurrected from the dead and reasoning and persuading their listeners that Jesus was the promised Messiah. What do we proclaim when we speak of Jesus?
Paul Needed Prayer
In Ephesians 6, Paul says that he is an "ambassador in chains" who needs prayer, so that he can preach boldly the mystery of the gospel. If Paul needs prayer to be bold, how much more do we?
A Spirit Of Power
In 2 Timothy 1:7, we're told that God didn't give us a spirit of fear. No! He gave us a spirit of power, love and a sound mind. My brothers and sisters, what have we lost, that today so few of us have a spirit of power and so many seem to be consumed by a spirit of fear? This spirit of fear does not come from God. We try to speak to others in our own power. That is the first mistake. We can do nothing. Only the Holy Spirit working in us can speak to people with power.
In 1 Corinthians 16:13-14, Paul tells us be steadfast, brave and strong. I like how the King James Version translates "be brave". It says to "quit you like men". Be brave, be bold and do it all with love.
Go Boldly
In Philippians 1:12-14, Paul tells us that the brethren became confident to speak out boldly without fear. They became confident by Paul's chains. What the world used against the ones who followed Christ, Paul and others used to go boldly and preach. Paul's chains were used to further the gospel, not to inhibit it. In 1 Thessalonians 2: 2, Paul says that he and others were "bold in our God to speak to you", even after they had suffered and were mistreated in Philippi. They did not allow persecution to intimidate them from speaking truth.
We have forgotten perhaps that the gospel is the gospel of truth. It is not a self-help manual. It does not teach how to have our best life now. It does not promise prosperity or even health. What it does tell us, is that the gospel is the truth. We profess Christ because people need to know the truth. Today's world gives us lies. Today's world tells us there are many truths. No! There is one truth. The truth of Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
It is Jesus, dying and rising again to save us from our sins, that provides a way for us to be one with God. This gospel we preach says that we can be Christ's brother and God can be our Father.
The Bible reminds us that just like the disciples in the book of Acts we are to speak boldly. We have the love and grace of God. We have the Holy Spirit. We have the power of God with us. Does that not give us boldness when we go before men? Do we fear so much, are we so timid, as to stay silent?
Go Boldly To The Throne Of Grace
We speak to others of Christ boldly, but we also go before our Lord boldly. We are told to go "boldly to the throne of grace" (Hebrews 4:16). When we pray according to God's will, our needs will be met. Is it God's will to heal you? If it is, then you can pray boldly and expect a healing. Our bold prayers can change our perspective, change our outlook, we can know that God can and will do more than we can imagine. In Ephesians 3:20, Paul says this,
"Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us,"
Paul tells us we have a "power that works in us". When we rely on that power, we can go to God boldly. Not in fear and intimidation. Praise be to God "who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think"!
Enjoy "Boldly I Approach" by Rend Collective.
Comments