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Topic: Bold As A Lion
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Carol Swenson
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How is boldness shown?
Boldness is something that is lacking among the average Christian today. Most do not act like lions. They seem almost scared, sometimes, to let people know they are Christians. And yet the Word says, "the righteous are bold as a lion." How is boldness manifested? Many people have a wrong idea about this.
Remember that first wonderful day when you found out what was available in Christ and you decided by an act of your will to accept it? Did you feel like jumping? Perhaps you did inside. But it is not how high you jump but how straight you walk that is important after that. The night before Jesus was crucified, Peter said, "I will not deny you, even though everybody else will. No, not me, I won't deny you." This was not a display of boldness; it was a display of brashness on his part. He may have said it with his lips, but what did he mean? When it came to the time of testing he did not stand. No, that is not what is meant by boldness.
Remember Simon the sorcerer in Acts chapter 8? Simon was a bold man in some ways, but is that the sort of boldness the Word is talking about? Philip went to Samaria to help the people receive the power of God, and he performed many miracles. Verse 9 informs us that "there was a certain man called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one." Is that what we mean by boldness? A certain boxer once boldly proclaimed, "I'm the greatest" -- but in the end someone beat him. Is that boldness? "I'm a child of God; I've got all the manifestations of the spirit." Simon had that sort of audacity, but without a knowledge of that truth. Simon had a certain belief in his own devilish power, but was that boldness?
Obviously, a lot depends on what your boldness is based. Is it on your own strength, or your desperation in a certain tight spot? Suddenly there is a sickness in your family or a great financial need. Your boldness cannot be based upon desperation. You need this boldness all the time. "The righteous are bold as a lion." Is your boldness based on a firm foundation?
Boldness in speech
"But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as ye know, at Philippi, we were bold in our God to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention" (I Thessalonians 2:2). Where was Paul's boldness? "We were bold in our God." That is where our boldness must be. We must be bold to the end of speaking about the good news. This particular word for "boldness" is used 39 times, and 28 times it has reference to boldness in speech. Paul was not bold because he was a brilliant man, educated in the top university of his day under the best teachers, nor because he had a tremendous command of oratory. But he was bold in one thing: "...in our God." You cannot find a better basis than that.
Do you want to be a bold Christian or a cold Christian? Most people know that there is more than one kind of Christian. They think that what they see is the normal type of Christianity, but it is not. It may be the common type but in reality it is abnormal. Bold Christianity is that described in Ephesians 3:12, "In whom we have boldness." In Christ we have boldness. Well then, have you got it or haven't you? We have boldness. It is part of God's spiritual gift package that we received when we accepted Christ as our personal Saviour. "In whom we have boldness" -- that settles the matter. I do not have to pray for it, work for it, or hope for it. I already have it. Only one question remains: What am I doing with it?
"Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient" (Philemon 8). Paul indicates here that he could be much bold in Christ. Not once does he say he was bold because of anything he was or had done. He was bold because of what Christ had done for him. Christ made it available for him, he accepted it, and he put it into action in his life. "I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin you." This is boldness in speaking to them about certain matters.
"For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus" (I Timothy 3:13). They had great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. The basis for our boldness is in Christ, not in ourselves. It has been made available to us; it is part of God's spiritual gift package.
Boldness towards God
Our boldness is also to be manifested towards God. The reason for this is that we belong to the family. We belong to the household of faith, and we have the family faith. You know what it means to belong to a family. You have certain rights. Prince Charles of England or the children of the President of the United States have no problem when they want to address the leader of their nation. They belong to the family. But if you went to meet Queen Elizabeth or the President of the United States, would you be bold? Some of you get nervous when you have to talk to your boss, or pray in public, or get married. We sometimes feel like this concerning God, too. We forget that we belong to the family. Since we do belong, we have a right to come into the Father's presence and, say, "Father, this happened today. What can I do about it?"
"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). "Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way..." (Hebrews 10:19, 20). "Having therefore... boldness." You already have it. But you must manifest it in your fellowship with God. The words "let us" indicate that we must make the effort to come boldly before our Father. Since God has made boldness available to us, should we not want to use it fully and enjoy the benefit it brings?
"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence [boldness] toward God" (I John 3:21). "And this is the confidence [boldness] that we have in him, that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us" (I John 5:14). Do we have confidence or boldness towards Him? Yes, the Word says so. And the particular area of boldness towards Him stated here is that if we ask anything of Him according to His will, He hears us. Then we know that we have the petition that we desired of Him. Yes, the righteous are bold as a lion.
Boldness in our walk
The boldness of the believer is also manifested in our walk. We need boldness as we live, doing the things the Father expects us to do. In Acts chapters 3 and 4 we have a wonderful record about Peter and John. They ministered healing to the man at the Beautiful gate of the temple. A tremendous miracle took place. When you meet the needs of humanity sometimes there are people who do not like it. In this case, they were religious people. They brought Peter and John before the court and asked, "By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?" (Acts 4: 7). Peter demonstrated his boldness by the note of authority in his reply.
"Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). Peter and John belonged to the family of God. They were righteous, and could be bold as lions. After they were let go, they went back to the local fellowship. They had been told "not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus" (verse 18). Notice what they prayed (Acts 4:29): "And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto your servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word." The Word also records that they put into action what they were praying about: "...they spake the word of God with boldness" (verse 31).
"But Barnabas took him [Paul], and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus" (Acts 9:27). Paul went to Damascus following his dramatic conversion. There were some Jews who wanted to kill him, and in the end he had to get out of town in a hurry. But while he was there he spoke boldly in the name of Jesus. He knew the authority and the power of the name of Jesus. He knew that these belonged to him, and he was not ashamed to manifest that power boldly. His boldness did not diminish with time, for we read that later "he was with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. And he spake boldly in the name of the Lord Jesus, and disputed against the Grecians: but they went about to slay him" (Acts 9:28, 29).
"Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing you put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles" (Acts 13:46). Paul and Barnabas were on their first journey, ministering the greatness of the Word wherever they went. In Antioch in Pisidia they first taught in the synagogue on the Sabbath. While their message was apparently accepted, opposition from the Jews developed, yet "the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God". (Acts 13:44). The Jews started contradicting and blaspheming, so Paul and Barnabas turned away from a Jewish setting to spend a profitable period of time with the Gentiles. They continued to manifest their boldness, but in a different direction. It is necessary to manifest our boldness when taking a stand for the integrity of God's Word. Community pressure is at times great, and we as believers need to boldly stand for the Word of God, even at the expense of losing some friends, neighbours, or relatives.
"Long time therefore abode they speaking boldly in the Lord, which gave testimony unto the word of his grace, and granted signs and wonders to be done by their hands" (Acts 14:3). Paul and Barnabas moved on to the next city to continue sharing the Word. Even though opposition quickly developed (verse 2), the apostles did not hesitate to speak "boldly in the Lord." This phrase again reminds us our boldness is not something we work up ourselves, but it is ours "in the Lord"; a part of God's spiritual gift at the new birth.
In Acts 18:24-28 we find a young man named Apollos in Ephesus. He was an eloquent man with a tremendous grasp of the Old Testament scriptures. This man was instructed to some degree in the way of the Lord, and was fervent in the spirit, on fire, as he spoke and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John (verses 24 and 25). "And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue..." (verse 26), speaking boldly that part of the Word which he knew. He was not only bold, but teachable also: "...whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly" (verse 26b).
Later, we read of Paul in the same town of Ephesus, who "went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God" (Acts 19:8).
"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence [boldness], no man forbidding him" (Acts 28:30, 31). Here we get a final glimpse of the apostle Paul, as far as the historical record of Acts is concerned. Many years had passed since his conversion, but he was still "...teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all boldness. "
"The righteous are bold as a lion." Notice some of the words that were used in the passages I quoted: "Much bold, all bold, great boldness, much more boldness." All these expressions are used concerning believers. So what kind of a believer are you going to be: a bold one or a cold one? Only one kind will have an effect upon this world: the righteous who are bold as a lion. Remember, you have boldness already. Now rise up and manifest it for the glory of God.
http://www.peterwade.com/articles/wade/bold.shtml
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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Carol Swenson
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Member # 6929
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posted
 Bold As A Lion
Lions are called the King of Beasts and are noted for their grace and power. They fear no other beasts and walk with confidence and boldness. The Bible speaks of lions in various ways, often referring to the righteous, but not always.
Proverbs 30:29, 30 "There are three things which go well, yea, four are comely in going: A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;"
Proverbs 28:1 " The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as the lion."
Amos 3:8 "The lion hath roared, who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?"
A lions roar can be heard by humans up to 9 km or 5.6 miles away. It’s a warning before he goes to hunt in the evening, after a successful hunt, and again in the morning.
Peter said this:
1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
It is no wonder Peter said to be vigilant. The devil makes enough noise, "roaring", we should "hear" him coming if we are indeed being vigilant. We’ll understand the way he "hunts and stalks" and won’t be consumed by him. We’ve been forewarned, but how many take the warning seriously and are really prepared?
As believers we are to fear nothing, because our help comes from Christ who promises to sustain and protect us. We are to have the boldness and confidence that comes through faith and trust in Him. We are not to be afraid.
Ephesians 3:12 "In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him."
Psalm 56:3,4 "What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me."
Psalm 56:11 "In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me."
1 John 4:4 "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world."
We are not to fear circumstances, other people, future needs or the anticipation of future calamities, or any other thing. Fear does not come from God; therefore it must be dealt with accordingly.
2 Timothy 1:7 "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and a sound mind."
1 John 4:17,18 "Herein is our love made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."
Matthew 6:34 "Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof."
There is only One whom we should fear. There is only One that can sustain us and provide what we need.
Matthew 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Psalm 25: 12-15 " What man is he that feareth the Lord? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose. His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth. The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will shew them His covenant. Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net."
Psalm 31:24 " Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord."
Psalm 34:4 " I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears."
Psalm 33:18 " Behold, the eye of the Lord is upon them that fear Him, upon them that hope in His mercy;"
Psalm 27:1 " The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"
Psalm 27:14 " Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord."
Philippians 4:13 " I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
Thirst (def.) - a craving for water. Lions must have regular access to water and often take fifteen minutes to quench their thirst. How much more do we need to spend time with God in order to quench "our thirst" and walk with "boldness" and trust in Him? How much more to claim deliverance if we face any fear?
Psalm 63:1 "O God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is;
Psalm 63:5-8 "My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: When I remember thee upon my bed, and meditate on thee in the night watches. Because thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice. My soul followeth hard after thee: thy right hand upholdeth me."
John 6:35 "And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst."
And ultimately, each believer can claim the following with boldness and anticipation.
Rev 7:16,17 "They shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more; neither shall the sun light on them, nor any heat. For the Lamb which is in the midst of the throne shall feed them, and shall lead them unto living fountains of waters: and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."
And:
Ephesians 6:10,11 "Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."
Psalm 62:5-8
" My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from Him.
He only is my rock and my salvation:
He is my defense; I shall not be moved.
In God is my salvation and my glory:
the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.
Trust in Him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before Him:
God is a refuge for us. Se-lah"
http://www.seekgod.ca/bold.html
Posts: 6787 | From: Colorado | Registered: Dec 2007
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