Boldness

<<bravery, courage>>

Boldness is the courage to act or speak fearlessly and assertively, regardless of real or imagined dangers. Boldness must be accompanied by discernment otherwise it can lead to foolish words and risky behaviour.

Before Christ’s crucifixion the disciples fled in fear but after they received the Holy Spirit they were not ashamed of the gospel of Jesus Christ, speaking with divine power and conviction, not in reckless impulsiveness but rather with a confidence in what they believed (Mt 26:56; Act 1:8, 4:13,29,31). This gave them motivation and courage to

With Christ, I am more than able Philippians 4:13

continue even choosing to suffer martyrdom as numerous others have done since. They did not speak arrogantly or without fear, but rather with a firm conviction and confident assurance, based on the facts and a compulsion of the Spirit that comes through a solid connection to Christ.

Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Rom 1:16). Do I boldly, yet with sensitivity, tell others about the new life and forgiveness I have in Christ and the freedom from sin and its penalty? May we have increased courage to share the message of salvation. Paul’s request was, “Pray for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the gospel” (Eph 6:19,20). He said this knowing his passion for Christ would likely result in more persecution as it had for Stephen the first Christian martyr (Act 6:8-10, 7:54-58).

We also need to pray for supernatural boldness to speak and live as followers of Christ, impacting the world around us (Mt 5:14-16). We are also told not to be fearful of other humans who can only destroy our body, not our eternal soul, for “God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline” (Mt 10:28; Heb 13:6; 2 Tim 1:7).

Because of what Jesus has done for us (and is still doing through interceding on our behalf), we can come boldly and with confidence before God, presenting our prayers to Him as well as receiving mercy and finding grace to help us in our time of need; and even when we will give account of our lives before Him, knowing the sacrifice of Jesus is all-sufficient (Rom 8:34; Heb 4:16, 10:19; 1 Jn 4:17).