Living With Boldness
One of the most noted lines of William Shatner’s iconic career as Captain James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise is the phrase from the program’s introduction wherein Shatner says, “. . . to boldly go where no man has gone before.”
The line is notorious, first of all, based on its use of the frowned-upon grammatical construct — the split infinitive. In this case, the mission was not “to boldly go,” but rather “to go boldly.” The other objection many have is Shatner’s patriarchal and supposedly, sexist use of the word “man.” This glaring oversight was corrected in the sequel, Star Trek — the Next Generation, which updated “no man” to read “no one.”
Today, we look at boldness for the Christ-follower.
The wicked man flees though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion. — Proverbs 28:1, NIV-1978
The Source of Boldness
Boldness, holy boldness, is neither rudeness nor bluster. Holy boldness is the lack of hesitation when facing potential danger. Boldness is imparted to spirit-infused believers for the purpose of advancing the kingdom of God.
…and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness. — Acts 4:31b, ESV
So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. — Acts 14:3, ESV
When the priests, the captain of the temple guard, and the Sadducees dragged Peter and John before the Sanhedrin, Peter was “filled with the Holy Spirit” and began speaking.¹ When the members of the Sanhedrin “saw the boldness of Peter and John”², they took note that they were “unschooled, ordinary men,” but that they “had been with Jesus.”
When you speak with Jesus’ endorsement, you will speak with boldness. Not rudeness, boldness.
The Work of Boldness
Proclaiming the Word of God
The early church prayed fervently for the boldness they needed to proclaim the gospel.
And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness. — Acts 4:29, ESV
We would be wise to pray such prayers with our first-century brothers and sisters. Just two verses later that prayer was answered exactly as they prayed it.
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, ESV
The apostle Paul, sometimes accompanied by Barnabas, spoke the gospel message with that same boldness.³
So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands. — Acts 14:3, ESV
And he entered the synagogue and for three months spoke boldly, reasoning and persuading them about the kingdom of God. — Acts 19:8, ESV
Just as was the case with the early church and the apostles, so it is with us. We, just like they, are called to “fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel.”⁴
Magnifying Christ
At all times, and in every way, we boldly magnify Christ.
I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have complete boldness so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. — Philippians 1:20, BSB
Defending Sound Doctrine
Paul did not mince words when defending the faith or when confronting heretical teaching. He employed the same boldness to confront heresy with his letters that he used when preaching the gospel.
I have written you quite boldly on some points as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. — Romans 15:15–16a, NIV-1978
I have written you quite boldly on some points as if to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. — Romans 15:15–16a, NIV-1978
Similarly, he told the church at Corinth, “Great is my boldness toward you.”⁵
Approaching God
We come to God with reverence, and perhaps even a healthy dose of trembling, but we also come to God with boldness.
Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. — Hebrews 4:16, KJV
And on the day of judgment, we will stand with boldness as we look toward that life eternal with Jesus.
In this love has been made perfect among us, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment, because as he is, even so are we in this world. — 1 John 4:17, WEB
Boldness does not equate with loudness, rudeness, or bravado. It is not clever, witty, or tricky. Boldness is about courage and conviction rather than cockiness and bluster.
You can be bold in speaking the message of the gospel, gently correcting error, writing a letter or blog posting, and even in your study and prayer life. You can be bold while speaking loudly or in a whisper. You can be bold while being outgoing or reserved.
In your boldness, brothers and sisters, always be loving, confident, and unyielding in your faith and your convictions. Stand firm, and contend earnestly for the truth, the faith handed down once for all to the saints.⁶ That is boldness.
Blessings upon you my friends.
Victoriously in Christ!
– damon
DamonJGray.org
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1. Acts 4:8, 31
2. Acts 4:13
3. Acts 9:27–29
4. Ephesians 6:19
5. 2 Corinthians 7:4
6. Jude 1:3
