AW Tozer said, “The true follower of Christ will not ask, "If I embrace this truth, what will it cost me?" Rather they will say, "This is truth. God help me to walk in it, let come what may!" How many times have you had the chance to witness to someone about Christ and failed to do so because of fear of rejection or being mocked or worse? I have. So how do we gain boldness in Christ to witness without flinching? How to we stand up and proclaim to lost people the name of Jesus Christ our Lord in this fallen world? How do we become emboldened disciples? How do we as Christians keep from backing down? How do we fight for what we believe in when our society tells us to stand down?
It starts with allowing the Holy Spirit full access to your life. The Apostle Peter denied Christ three times as Jesus said he would, but what happened after the indwelling of the Holy Spirit into the Christians at Pentecost?
Please turn to Acts 4:8-20: “Then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, said to them, “Rulers of the people and elders of Israel: 9 If we this day are judged for a good deed done to a helpless man, by what means he has been made well, 10 let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. 11 This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ 12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” 13 Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus. 14 And seeing the man who had been healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it. 15 But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves, 16 saying, “What shall we do to these men? For, indeed, that a notable miracle has been done through them is evident to all who dwell in Jerusalem, and we cannot deny it. 17 But so that it spreads no further among the people, let us severely threaten them, that from now on they speak to no man in this name.” 18 So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus. 19 But Peter and John answered and said to them, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more than to God, you judge. 20 For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.”
Confidence in Christ! Peter would never again deny his Savior no matter the cost. Peter, John and the other Apostles would not back down. Neither should we. Whom do we have to fear? Whom do we have to fear? We had better start fearing God in this country! Because we are only in the beginning of judgments for turning our back on God as a nation. Right now, Christians in the Middle East, Africa and Asia are dying every day as martyrs for Jesus Christ. American Christians are starting to be persecuted and silenced for their faith in the One true God.
We still have first amendment protection in this country but we are quieter about Jesus than Christians in countries who will be imprisoned or killed for just mentioning His name or carrying a bible!
No wonder we are watching our freedoms erode and give way to sinful, godless people taking over this nation. The Supreme Court ruling on gay marriage is a prime example of what happens in a Christian society when the church is passive and tolerant. Something else that really bothers me is that Christians will defend to the teeth their doctrines or traditions of men that they believe in when they debate points with other Christians, but where is this same passion and fervor when going against false religions and haters of God? Or even just standing up and telling someone about the love of Jesus? Where is the passion for Christ!? Forgive me church but this angers me and I fear for my country!
A Chinese Communist, who delivered many Christians to their execution, came to a pastor and said: "I’ve seen many of you die. The Christians die differently. What is their secret?" Lost people want to know our secret. Let’s give it to them! We have to take every opportunity to give it to them. Even if they will not acknowledge it – give it to them anyway! Plant a seed of truth. As Christians we all suffer major and minor persecutions. We must witness boldly to spread the message of Christ and give God glory. The Holy Spirit gives us the muscle to be unflinching in the declaration and defense of our Savior. We just need to move ourselves out of the way and let Him do it! We have to become submissive to God and obey God by obeying His Word. Then true discipleship happens in your life.
Acts 28:31: (Paul in Rome) – “He proclaimed the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ—with all boldness and without hindrance!”
What about our Savior when He faced the Sanhedrin and the Romans? (Sanhedrin) Mark 14:60-65: 60 Then the high priest stood up before them and asked Jesus, “Are you not going to answer? What is this testimony that these men are bringing against you?”61 But Jesus remained silent and gave no answer. Again the high priest asked Him, “Are you the Messiah, the Son of the Blessed One?” (I get chills every time I read this next verse – Our King is awesome). “I Am,” said Jesus. “And you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming on the clouds of heaven.” 63 The high priest tore his clothes. “Why do we need any more witnesses?” he asked. 64 “You have heard the blasphemy. What do you think?” They all condemned Him as worthy of death. 65 Then some began to spit at Him; they blindfolded Him, struck Him with their fists, and said, “Prophesy!” And the guards took Him and beat Him.”
While Jesus stood bravely in the face of danger, all of His Apostles fled. Christ knew what was to come and He prayed for the Father to give Him strength so that His heart would be ready. The Holy Spirit sustained Him and gave Him the audaciousness to do what He had come to do, according to the will of God the Father.
John 19:6-11: “ As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw Jesus, they shouted, “Crucify! Crucify!” But Pilate answered, “You take Him and crucify Him. As for me, I find no basis for a charge against Him.” 7 The Jewish leaders insisted, “We have a law, and according to that law He must die, because He claimed to be the Son of God.”
8 When Pilate heard this, he was even more afraid, 9 and he went back inside the palace. “Where do You come from?” he asked Jesus, but Jesus gave him no answer. 10 “Do You refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free You or to crucify You?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over Me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed Me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
God in control! God is always in control. Jesus was bold! Christ knew He was going to die, but He would not back down from those who falsely accused Him. He wanted them to understand that their sin was against God and that He was the only way for us to be reconciled to the Father. He wanted them to understand that He was the Messiah, that He was the atoning sacrifice, the Savior of the world. We have to follow the example of our Savior and stand up against those who defy the Word of God. We are told in Scripture to respect and pray for our leaders in this nation. But, when what they deem as law goes against God’s Law, then we defer to the side of God no matter what it costs us!
Stand in faith! Stand on the Word of God. Be bold in Christ!
We also need to pray for God’s mercy upon this country. This country is now reaping what it has sown and we have no one to blame but ourselves for allowing it to happen. God gave us a voice for a reason. I don’t play politics, but we should fear God and not man. Fear God and not government. Fear God and not people on the fast track to hell with an agenda. Listen to this passage of scripture and tell me if this sounds familiar:
“18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19 because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.”
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.” - Romans 1:18-32
Does that not sound like the state of the United States of America today?
Church, we have to keep preaching the gospel. The prideful, the lustful, the vain, the murderers, the thieves, the liars, the adulterers, the homosexuals, the addicted, the fornicators - all sinners need Christ! We have to keep saying the name of Jesus. We have to remember Who it was that gave us this great nation. Our soldiers have not spilled their blood and lost their lives so that we could become a godless society!
We have to bring lost souls to Christ! Every person who has not been saved, even the staunchest of atheists, has moments in their lives where their conscience will speak to them and say, “What if?” “What if God is real?” Even if they will not admit it. Ever wonder why our Spirit stirs and lost people cringe when you say the name of Jesus? People can hide many things but they can never hide conviction when the name of Jesus Christ is proclaimed. You see it in their face. Why? Because God has written it upon all of our hearts. So knowing this as Christians, will we yield to the Holy Spirit to plant the seeds of truth? Will we be daring enough to convict the lost of their sin that will send them to Hell if they do not repent and seek Christ’s forgiveness and saving grace?
Hebrews 10:19-23: “19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh, 21 and having a High Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” I remember some time years back when an old boss off mine went on a tirade about God killing His own Son, having no idea what it truly meant, and I said nothing. Not one word. I will get back to that in a moment...I want to give you an example of what is going on every day in Africa for persecuted Christians living there.
Rev. Faye Pama Musa of the Christian Association of Nigeria or CAN, was gunned down by terrorists from the Boko Haram Islamic militant group. Three men jumped the fence and came into the house demanding that everyone get on the floor. Rev. Musa knew what the men were there for and tried to get out the back door. But they caught him and said, “Today you are a dead man. Call your Jesus to help you, Mr. CAN man”, one of the men said. The pastor fought back, calling out for Jesus as he fought the men.
Zion, the pastor’s daughter, got up to try to help her father. The men shot at her and missed. During the fight, Rev. Musa’s wife heard her husband yelling, “I will never deny my Savior.” After that, the three men shot her husband in the head repeatedly, killing him in front of his entire family. Christians around the world on a daily basis are being beaten, imprisoned and killed for their faith in Jesus and here I was afraid to announce the truth of God to my boss. Christ did not die on the cross so that we could cower in a corner!
I was afraid to tell my boss why God’s Son died in his place for him and for me and for everyone else. I did not present the gospel of Christ to him. I will never forget how ashamed I was of myself after that. But God, as gracious as He is, taught me many things from that moment. That was a lesson that really helped me to become bolder in Christ and His message. That is one of the reasons why I am a pastor today. I want no one to go to hell; No one. We cannot walk around regarding Christ as a secret that we refuse to share. We cannot talk about Jesus only on Sunday at church with other Christians. We were told (not asked) told to go into all the world and preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.
Spurgeon said, “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”
Listen: Satan knows that once you become a Christian He has lost control of you, but He will deceive, put down, hurt and manipulate you in any way he can. He does not want you to tell others about Jesus Christ our Lord. He wants you to close up into your shell and never come out. Be courageous in all the faces of adversity. 1 Thessalonians 2:4: “4 But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.” What is it that keeps you from sharing the Good News? Do you want the world’s approval or God’s? Scripture tells us not to be fearful of what to say, because as it says in Luke 12:12: “12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Are there any veterans here? My father, step-father and the pastor who mentored me all served in Vietnam. Tell a soldier who has been saved by God’s intervention in combat to not thank Jesus publicly or in prayer. I dare anyone!
The same should apply to the rest of us as Christian soldiers. We have the God given right in this God given country, founded on the Bible, to preach and say the name of Jesus when and wherever we want to. Jesus Christ our Lord shares the stage with no one. It all belongs to Him.
1 John 2:28: 28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at his coming.
We will be rejected, ridiculed, told we are a freak or haters or intolerant or that we have lost our minds. At some point, some of us may even lose our lives for Christ. We have to be OK with that because Christ gave His life for us. God has told us what to do and how to do it. Have a clear, concise, unwavering witness for Jesus—even in the face of opposition. The bold way is the biblical way. Testify boldly and without fear, regardless of their reaction, and you will know God’s favor upon your witness for Christ. God will bless your words and His Holy Spirit will give you the strength to witness profoundly. Just submit yourself to Him and let Him do it. Hebrews 4:16: 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.
You may say, “I am not a pastor or a teacher of scripture.” I am not a theologian by any means. You do not have to be. You have a testimony don’t you? The changes in our Christian lives are proof enough of our true conversion in Christ Jesus. All you have to do is give your testimony! Tell them what Christ has saved you from. We all have many witnesses throughout our lives to attest to this. But, people will say that others who have followed other religions have had changed lives as well. But, there is one eternal difference. They are still lost, trying to work for their salvation. We already have ours. It was given to us freely because of our faith in Christ.
Proverbs 28:1: The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Tom White of The Voice of the Martyrs said, “The badge of courage does not require that we walk through something dangerous. It simply requires that we continue to share God's love whenever and wherever we are.” Matthew 10:32-33: 32 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.
Arthur Blessitt carried the cross around the world on foot. Blessitt has traveled through 52 war zones, been beaten and also arrested 24 times. Blessitt remained undeterred and has seen many miracles as God protected him and brought him through the journey. He's had the opportunity to minister and witness to countless people around the world. He knew God was always with Him. Blessitt says he learned along the way to see adversities and troubles not as stumbling blocks, but as stepping stones. He said, "The safest place to be is in the will of God."
Be bold for Christ. The more we are filled with the Holy Spirit, the bolder we become. Obedience to God’s Word, constant prayer, confession of our sins, and a yielding to the will of God will give us the unwavering confidence to witness to the world. Be sincere and let the love of Christ come through you when you witness to others. The Holy Spirit will direct your words. Stand up for God and stand up for this great country while it is still free. All we have to do is open our mouths.
