Recently I wrote about how the greatest thing the church can pray for right now is boldness. I still hold firmly to this message. Believing if we want to see positive change in our country and world then the church must remain bold as believers. Willing to speak the truth regardless of the consequences. That being said though it is important to truly understand what it means to be bold for Christ. Because often boldness is taken to the extreme and misshaped to mean things it was never meant to.
Scripture clearly calls Christians to be bold in the faith. We see the early church pray for boldness and the Lord respond nightly. Paul even asks that the other believers would pray for him to remain bold. God’s expectation is for those who believe in Him to stand firmly on His truth. Not wavering back and forth. Or trying to alter scripture to conform to the current culture. Instead, every believer should be willing to share the Gospel unashamed just as Paul was. Knowing that the Lord promises to be ashamed of those who are ashamed of Him.
Acts 4:29–31 (ESV)
29 And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness, 30 while you stretch out your hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of your holy servant Jesus.” 31 And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Ephesians 6:19 (ESV)
19 and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel,
Ephesians 4:14 (ESV)
14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes.
Romans 1:16 (ESV)
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
Luke 9:26 (ESV)
26 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
But none of that overpowers the call to remain humble, kind, patient, and gentle. Nor does it mean that we are no longer expected to act in love towards all people. Instead, these seemingly different calls must be lived out together. Christians are to be bold in the faith, sharing our beliefs with anyone and everyone we can. But that doesn’t mean we have to be forceful, angry, mean-spirited, or demanding. Nor do we have to act in those ways when we stand in biblical opposition to another’s belief or lifestyle. We can still follow the humble example of Christ when others are saying all manner of hateful and heartfelt things about us. Turing the other cheek as it were.
2 Timothy 2:25 (ESV)
25 correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth,
1 John 4:11 (ESV)
11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.
Matthew 5:39 (ESV)
39 But I say to you, Do not resist the one who is evil. But if anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also.
The Jews were expecting a Messiah that would come armed for battle. Someone who would wage war against and defeat the Romans that occupied their land. But we know from the Bible that is not what they found in Jesus. Instead the Messiah was humble, mild mannered, and meek. Causing many at the time to question if He could even truly be the Messiah. What they failed to understand is that He wasn’t weak but the true definition of meek. Meaning that He had great strength but that strength was in submission to the plan of God. Not only that but the enemy that Jesus truly came to defeat was the unseen enemy. That of course being satan. Everyone else He came to save.
John 3:16 (ESV)
16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
Being bold is great as we work to defeat the enemy and see souls saved. But like those in the days of Jesus it is important that we truly understand who the enemy is. Christians are not at war against liberals or conservatives, democrats or republicans, shadow governments, or even other religions. We are only in the battle for souls against the devil and his angels. So we should treat those he has seduced by sin as what they are. Lost souls in need of the same life saving grace that we once were and honestly still are in need of today. Remembering that we to were once giving to then same sins that they are but only through Gods grace we are saved.
1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (ESV)
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality, 10 nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. 11 And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Other people regardless of what they say or do are not our enemy. They may be used by the enemy but they are not the enemy. In reality they are our target demographic in evangelism. They are the sick people in need of a doctor that Jesus came for. As His hands and feet it is not our job to fight angst them. But to do all we can to lead them into a right relationship with Him. Ultimately fulfilling the call He gave us to make disciples of all people.
Mark 2:17 (ESV)
17 And when Jesus heard it, he said to them, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
So all these being said in the end what does it mean to be bold for Christ? It means standing strong on the truth of the scripture. Not wavering or trying to alter scripture to fit the new culture norms. While also not shrinking back when the persecution gets turned up or it seems like everyone is against you. To be bold is to unashamedly share what you believe regardless of the outcome.
Yet, a major part of being bold for Christ means not forsaking the rest of what scriptures teaches. In our boldness we must strive to remain calm, loving, patient, gentle, kind, and ultimately live out the fruit of the Spirit. Not shrinking down to the sinful ways of the world. In standing strong in the faith we mustn’t be rude, hateful, or arrogant. Nor should we attempt to start fights and call others names.
Being bold is about standing firm in the faith but we must never lose sight of our purpose. In the end our goal is to draw others to Jesus not drive them away. A task that is only ever accomplished in love not hate. The best rule of thumb is to always remember the golden rule. Because you know how you want to be treated and what shuts you off from listening to others. Those we hope to reach with the truth are no different. Love and compassion saves souls. While hate and a mean spirit only leads others further from the Lord.
Matthew 7:12 (ESV)
12 “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Yes, we all know the scripture recording when Jesus flipped tables and drove people out of the temple. But account does not give us free rain as Christians to act in wrath or anger. Even in anger Jesus was without sin because his actions were righteous. We cannot claim to posses the same kind of righteous anger and judgment as God. So we should allow God to handle such things. As we try to keep our flesh in submission to all the scriptures calling us to put aside our anger and act in humility.
James 1:19–20 (ESV)
19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Psalm 37:8 (ESV)
8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath!
Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.
Ephesians 4:26 (ESV)
26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,
Colossians 3:12 (ESV)
12 Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience,
So be bold for Christ and live the unashamed life we see exemplified by the early church. Just be sure to follow their full example and live in the humble peaceful manner they did as well. Boldness isn’t measured in how rough you act but in how you continue to walk the same path without changing. Regardless of the opposition you may be facing. Don’t be afraid of anything because as you share the message of Scripture God is with you. He will fight for you so you don’t have to defend yourself or Him and His word.
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