Boldness

Boldness

“Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech.” 2 Cor. 3:12. “But since we have the same spirit of faith, according to what is written, ‘I believed and therefore I spoke,’ we also believe and therefore speak.” 2 Cor. 4:13.

From this we see that hope and faith produce boldness. However, hope and faith necessarily include only what we do not see, things that we do not have, what we cannot do, and so on— things that have not yet been manifested but will come soon as truly as God lives, as truly as He has all power in heaven and on earth, as truly as He has promised it!

The usual reason for not using boldness is said to be that we are so poor. This is because one has been deceived by Satan, because one is in darkness. The basis of our boldness is not that we are so good and strong and capable in ourselves, but that He has called and chosen us, that He is so good, strong, capable, truthful, faithful, and longsuffering! “He who calls you is faithful, who also will do it.” 1 Thess. 5:24.

We are always very glad and bold in this faith and in this confidence. We are like Mount Zion that can never be moved, and we will not be put to shame. God be praised!!! If this bold confidence had been displeasing in God’s eyes, He would have told us so. However, it is so far from displeasing that He has said the exact opposite: “But without faith it is impossible to please Him . . . .” Heb. 11:6. This boldness is therefore so far from being improper that it is the only thing with which we can please Him!

God wants us to believe that it is rewarding to seek Him; that we receive what we pray for according to His will; that we will come to a life of victory over everything that can be mentioned; that we will grow and prosper perfectly in Him; that He will appoint us over more after a while; that He will equip us for every good work; that He will give us Spirit and power, grace and wisdom, love and all good things in abundance; that He will both mold us and use us in His ministry; and that we, after our education is finished and after sufficient trials, will be received into His eternal glory and share all things together with Him.

The person in whom this faith and confidence become living will soon begin to speak boldly about it, not because everything is going so well, but because it will soon (one thousand years is as one day in God’s eyes) be like that!!!

“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Heb. 10:23; 4:14; 10:35.

It is not enough that we have reason to (and a right to) be bold in spite of our wretched state at the moment, but it is even a necessity for being in His house at all! Heb. 3:6. We should even be always confident (2 Cor. 5:6), with all boldness (Acts 4:29; 28:31; Phil. 1:20), and even glory in our hope! Heb. 3:6; Rom. 5:2, 3, 11; Gal. 6:14; Phil. 3:3; Jas. 1:9.

This “boldness of faith” will—as truly as God is alive—result in a victorious life. Furthermore, this victorious life will give us boldness that we could call “the boldness of life.” And this boldness of life will, in its turn, increase the boldness of faith, just as this increased boldness of faith will again lead me to a more worthwhile life, and this in turn will give me greater boldness of life, and so on, ad infinitum.

Boldness, and with it a reward (salvation) will increase just like a snowball that rolls down a hill in sticky snow. Take note of the second to the last word in Hebrews 10:35!

May therefore everyone wake up to this blessed and blessing boldness, so that there may be much blessing and progress!

Without this boldness of faith you will fade away just like grass.