SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1085

“Boldness”

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 continued to speak the word of God with boldness. – Acts 4:31-33

We, the Church, have become too apprehensive and concerned with political correctness with regards to the truth of the Word of God. I confess that there are times when I write these devotionals that I too have to fight the temptation to ‘soften’ the Word so as not to offend.

For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. – Luke 9:26

It is past due time for the Church – the Body of Christ – to be bold and get a backbone and stand up, stand out, and stand firm in the Truth of the Word of God.

Stand Up

Know the Word and what you stand for. Be bold in declaring the pure unadulterated Truth. Jesus is the only way to eternal life, there is no other way. There is only one, true God. Abortion is murder. Homosexuality is a sin.

…proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance. – Acts 28:31

Being bold does not mean being brash. Boldness seasoned with grace is the example of Jesus. Speak the Truth in love with grace.

Stand Out

Being afraid to offend is tantamount to being ashamed of your Christian faith and ashamed of Jesus. In a court of law would there be enough evidence from your daily behavior to convict you of being a Christian?

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John … they recognized that they had been with Jesus. – Acts 4:13

Stand Firm

When you stand up and stand out you will be a target for ridicule and persecution.

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted; Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” –2 Timothy 3:12; Deuteronomy 31:6

In this election year know where you stand. It has been said that: ‘If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything.’  We will be inundated with out of context sound bites, and mealy mouthed, empty promises by all the presidential wanna–be’s. Know where you stand. Know the Word that you stand on. This knowledge will guide your vote.

Stand up and be counted.