Stand Firm and Be Bold

A few blog posts ago, I mentioned noticing a few themes throughout the New Testament. First, love. In my eyes, loving others is the most important part of evangelism. The other theme I have noticed is the phrase, "Stand firm and be bold." After realizing the things that I was learning, I have recognized that God is preparing me for evangelism.

Throughout the New Testament, these two things are repeated over and over, and my mind automatically correlates them. In 1 Corinthians 16:13, it says, "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong." And in Acts 4:29, the Bible says, "And now, Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue to speak your word with all boldness..."

This is certainly not the only time the New Testament mentions standing firm and speaking boldly. Faith that stands firm is an inward issue. This is necessary for speaking boldly. You cannot speak with boldness without a strong faith.

The first part is difficult. It is hard to continue praying, reading the Bible, and growing your relationship with God. I believe everyone has this struggle at some point in their life, probably more often than not. On the hand, the second part can be even more difficult for some people.

If you knew me when I was younger, you would know that I was one of the shyest kids you would ever meet. I only spoke at home, and did not speak at school until about second or third grade. I have always been introverted, so speaking boldly has not always been my forte. However, God has called me to speak with boldness.

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 speaks of God making us worthy of His calling. He can be funny sometimes. Instead of using our strengths, He often uses our weaknesses to do His work through us. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, the Bible says, "But He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.' Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

First, it is on the inside. You need to be firm in faith. Then, He calls us to action by loving others and speaking boldly. I may think it is ironic that God is calling me to speak boldly. However, I believe God knows exactly what He is doing. He is working through my weaknesses. The New Testament has taught me a lot about how to evangelize to others. It sounds easy. Stand firm. Speak boldly. Love. This is far from easy, but He does make it easy to understand. He is a great mystery, but through the Bible, He teaches us how to easily share His saving works and amazing grace.