SUNDAY August 25, 2024
Speak God’s Word With Boldness
...so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
Philippians 1:13-14
Paul knew his imprisonment was all for the glory of God. The Gospel still was getting out. God’s Word was not bound. Under house arrest, Paul remained a great witness for Jesus Christ. The Lord had divinely appointed him to preach the message of salvation. The guards knew the Apostle was a proclaimer of the Gospel. Imagine, Caesar’s bodyguards–– his elite, Praetorian guards––were being led, one by one, to know Jesus Christ.
Paul’s chains influenced the lives of most believers. Seeing Paul’s bold confidence and courage as a prisoner of Rome, in turn, made them extremely bold as they shared their testimonies. Christians everywhere were becoming bolder in their witnessing and fearless in the face of adversity. They were not afraid of anything.
Do people around you know you as a proclaimer of the Gospel? Are you a bold witness? Have you shared the truth with them about Jesus Christ? I have found that as people grow older in the Lord, they can become more conservative––lackadaisical. They stop sharing their faith with others, whereas with a new believer, you can hardly keep them quiet. They are so zealous and look for every opportunity to share their faith.
As Christians, we cannot reach a place where we stop sharing the Gospel. We have to practice our faith. We are called by God to witness to others. The Gospel message cannot be just head knowledge. Neither are we to keep the treasure of the Gospel hidden. It has been said, “We cannot be so heavenly minded that we are no earthly good.” Be aware of God’s purpose and will in your circumstances and surroundings. Look for opportunities to share the Gospel in the gym, coffee houses, and the workplace.
What is your story? Be ready to share it when the Lord gives you the opportunity.
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
