Bold Confidence



Ephesians 3:7-13
7Of this gospel I was made a minister according to the gift of God’s grace, which was given me by the working of his power.
8To me, though I am the very least of all the saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,
9and to bring to light for everyone what is the plan of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things,
10so that through the church the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places.
11This was according to the eternal purpose that he has realized in Christ Jesus our Lord,
12in whom we have boldness and access with confidence through our faith in him.
13So I ask you not to lose heart over what I am suffering for you, which is your glory.

Part of the ethos of the culture in which we walk is that we are all to tread lightly when it comes to expressing an opinion or thought concerning just about anything (and especially about the faith!). We are to assume our ideas are simply that – our ideas and we are not to expect others to share them or embrace them. That is the politically correct way to live.

Paul would have laughed at that idea. For Paul, the faith was expressed with confidence and boldness. There was no reason to withhold the truth from anyone. Because of Jesus Christ, we are given full access to God and we can confidently speak of Him and share His love. That doesn’t mean we need to get crazy about it; just be confident. The rest of the Scriptures teach how that is best accomplished – through actions that speak of love and concern. Love for our neighbor opens the pathway of conversation and allows us to confidently and boldly share God with others. This ministry was given to Paul by Jesus. Paul certainly did not choose it. God’s grace poured out upon him and he had no choice but to share that grace with others. Those of us who have received that grace do the same, declaring the greatness of God in the good works He has prepared for us to do so that His name might be glorified. It’s a pretty simple but highly effective plan.

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