We live in a world that is bold about sin. It’s hard to avoid the bragging and arrogant attitude that our culture has about most any sin you can imagine (and some you can’t). Unfortunately, sometimes Christians think of boldness as rudeness! I think there is a way to be bold without leaving the fruit of the Spirit behind!
Paul wrote to his protege Timothy, “God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). How can we be bold in our faith, living our Christianity “out loud” and, at the same time, continue to hold the light of the gospel for any who would follow Jesus?
REACH UP TO GOD. God is the source of our strength. Very often, Paul begins his letters with thanksgiving. “I thank God whom I serve…” (2 Timothy 1:3). We are to see everything in our lives through the reality that we belong to Him. We we draw near to God, he draws near to us (James 4:8). In times when we feel it is difficult to be bold, reach up to God and find strength in Him.
REACH INSIDE YOURSELF. “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (2 Timothy 1:5). I can’t imagine the encouragement this brought to Timothy. It was a reminder that he had the necessary foundations to be everything God called him to be — sincere faith powered his daily life.
REACH DOWN TO OTHERS. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God…” (2 Timothy 1:6). One reason we need to be bold is that the Christian life is not just about us. It is about passing on what we have received, the greatest news of all time, the Gospel. Through the presence of God, the power of faith, I can reach down and help someone climb from brokenness and sin up to the Kingdom.
REACH OUT TO THE WORLD. When we struggle to be bold, remember Paul’s assurance. “I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me” (1 Timothy 1:12). What wonderful grace we have experienced. It would be a shame to be ashamed of it!
Boldness comes from the Lord, spreads within our hearts, attempts to help the sinner find grace, and reaches out to the world.
John E. Dobbs
