Daily Power #136

Since we have such a hope, we are very bold. (2 Cor. 3:12 ESV)

When was the last time someone was amazed by your boldness? When was the last time you stopped someone in their tracks with your bold speech and actions?

Now, I’m not talking about the wacky, cheesy, thirty-three-bumper stickers-on-your-SUV kind of Christian drive-by witness. I’m not talking about being bold in a bad-Christian-television way to make people dislike you or ridicule you.

I’m talking about being bold with integrity, with grace and compassion. The kind of boldness where you’re serving people faithfully in Jesus’ name, where you’re encouraging them, where you’re living in a way that reflects Christ’s compassion and selflessness, where others look at you and say, “There’s something different about this person.” Where you’re so generous with your money and your heart and your time, where you’ve served your way into people’s lives, and therefore you’ve earned the right to say, “I really do love you—may I tell you about my God?”

Spiritual boldness is not our goal; knowing Christ is our goal. Boldness is merely a byproduct of following Jesus and living as he lived, showing others the love of the Father. Spiritual boldness comes from knowing Christ.

Power Lift

It can be scary for me to talk to other people about you, Lord. But I want them to know you and experience your love the way I have. Give me the courage I need to be bold in the best way today so that others see you through me.