And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy
servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word, (Act 4:29)
It is not that we lack opportunity to spread the Gospel but
fearing what people think. Boldness is what we need to pray for and God
will faithfully provide (Acts 4:31). In the natural we are bold for the things
that we are confident of, for example in our gifting, wealth or even character.
Some are bold to sin, not fearing man or God. Believers in Jesus Christ who have
been freed from sin and condemnations carry a powerful message of liberty and
love (Rom 1:16). In other words, we have the key to setting man, women and
children free; deliverance from sin, hell and the devil.
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him,
he also will deny us: (2Ti 2:12)
To ask the Lord for boldness is also to ask that ‘we be dead
with Him’, hence the issue is not about about preaching the Gospel, it is the reason behind preaching the Gospel (Phil 1:15). The negative motivation is obvious, the other motivation of preaching out of 'good will' is also not honorable. We preach the Gospel as 'dead' man and woman denying anything to gain from it, except that we fall in line with God's willingness that none should perish (2 Pet 3:9).
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