Holy Boldness

 

The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion. Proverbs 28:1

 

At the end of a lecture entitled, “Is the Blood of the Martyrs the Seed of the Church?” a man was asked to pray. (You can see the lecture here). One of the things he asked God to give those in the room was a “holy boldness” to proclaim the truths of the scriptures.

That room had several people who I already consider bold for the Lord. They are willing to challenge others with biblical truth in the public square.

We talked about people who had literally given up their lives for the gospel of Jesus Christ. They were martyred, not just for their faith, but for their willingness to stand up for the Word of God anywhere. And, the church grew. Trouble followed.

There were also times of peace when the church was built up (Acts 9:31). Christians were not dying, but the disciples of Christ were going in and out among the people, and Paul is specifically mentioned as boldly preaching to those who had known him as a Jew and a persecutor of Christians. (Acts 9:23) They hated him for it.

The Challenge

What I heard in that prayer was a challenge, as a follower of Christ, to get bold in my witness for Him. It is not enough to show up at church on Sunday and be happy to talk about Christ with those who come through the doors (though it is important).

The Compromise

The speaker pointed out a critical compromise we Christians have made. It is with regard to the public square. As long as the world leaves us alone inside the doors of the church, we are satisfied to stay quiet in the public forums.

There is no precedent for that in scripture.

And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Mark 16:15

…and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. Luke 9:2

Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ. Colossians 1:28

“To all creation,” “sent them out,” and “teaching everyone.” Clearly, we are sent out, too, to participate in declaring (John 8:39), proclaiming, and spreading the gospel of the Kingdom (Matthew 24:14).

Holy Boldness.

Will you pray with me, that as God’s people, we would be given “holy boldness” for the advancement of His Kingdom?

Our neighbors, and our nation, need to hear it.