Boldness of Faith
Acts 4:23-31
29. And now, Lord, look upon their threats, and grant to thy servants to speak thy word with all boldness, 30. while thou stretchest out thy hand to heal, and signs and wonders are performed through the name of thy 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 spoke the word of God with boldness.
Acts 18:26
He [Apollos] began to speak boldly in the synagogue; but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and expounded to him the way of God more accurately.
Acts 28:28-31
28. Let it be known to you then that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen." 29. And he [Paul] lived there two whole years at his own expense, and welcomed all who came to him, 30. preaching the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ quite openly and unhindered.
My bible notes indicate that Luke clearly understands boldness, or forthright speech, to be a hallmark of the apostles. Peter and John exemplified boldness of speech! The religious authorities confronted them as they were proclaiming Jesus to all who would listen. And they were hauled off to the high priests who ordered them to be silent--they were disrupting the status quo and that would impact the livelihood and lifestyle of the high priests. Even under the direct threat of imprisonment and/or death, the disciples could not be silent!
They probably had a pretty good idea, after what happened to Jesus, that their own time was short on the earth. And so they had a sense of urgency about them. They must have physically ached with longing to tell the whole world the Good News! And no power on earth would silence them! But what does it mean today, to us, to speak with boldness? What do we risk? What is at stake for us? And how do we respond to those times when we must make a choice?
Would you gently chastise a friend who made a racist remark, or would you let it slide? Would you stop short of criticizing someone with whom you disagreed, or wait until they walk away and make a snide remark -- or think an unkind thought? Would you speak kindly to the person behind you in line, complaining about the length of the line and the general miserable state of their life, or would you join in, comparing notes on all the woes of the world? What about the boss who expects you to work on Sunday morning instead of going to church? Would you honestly tell him/her that you can come in later, but first you and your family must attend church services? When a neighbor asks for help, would you give it willingly, or would you grudgingly go to their aid so they didn’t think you were a bad person, or would you gladly help them out, as an opportunity to demonstrate “this is how a Christian responds to those in need?”
There is a “quiet boldness” too. Like the way we stop to talk to a homeless person on the street. Or the way we anonymously send a gift card for groceries to a friend we know is short of cash that month. And what about our financial support of our church? What about giving food to the food pantry? Those are “quiet” ways we boldly demonstrate our trust that God will provide for us.
My prayer today is that you speak with boldness - not only with words, but with actions - about the amazing man called Jesus Christ! And that you live out his promise in everything you do and say.
Mary
