Boldness

We could all use a little more boldness to make our witnessing more effective. Our reading over the last couple of days in Acts has stirred me up to seek for more boldness.

Peter and John on the way to the temple were intercepted by a needy 40 year old man who had been crippled for many years. This beggar requested only money, yet due to tremendous boldness, the disciples commanded him to walk in the name of Jesus. And he did! Have you ever wondered what would have happened if that was your or I? Would we have given the man the money he required and walked on? Or would we give him some food, comfort him and then depart when the conversation comes to an uncomfortable lull? Really, think about it. What would you do? I know for me, the first thought would not be to command him to walk. The reason for this would be due to lack of boldness.

Later on, the disciples are accosted by the authority figures who killed Jesus. The political implication of performing such a public miracle could be damaging to the Pharisees. Thus the disciples are put on trial, and in this scene we see more boldness displayed. Peter, who had denied Jesus three times in fear of death, spoke boldly and declared Jesus was the healer and the messiah. What would possess a cowardly disciple to speak boldly in front of murderous political leaders? Boldness. The scriptures show us the source of this boldness in Acts 8 “then Peter filled with the Holy Spirit said to them”. The source of course is the precious Holy Spirit. See the Holy Spirit does not just fill us to give us tongues, ultimately he empowers us with his Spirit so we can be bold witnesses for him.

Finally, the disciples are released, and withdraw to their own company. Again look at the context of their prayer in the latter part of Acts 4. They prayed not for the persecution to stop, or people to like them, instead they prayed for more boldness. Boldness to preach, boldness to live, boldness to act, boldness to be witnesses. Friends I believe this is where we live. Our world today is desperately in need of an answer. They need miracles in many different facets of their lives. But they requre someone filled with the Holy Spirit to boldly give them a message they can receive, believe and adhere to. Join me today as I pray and seek for more boldness.