Bold to speak the Word. Philippians 1:14. “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word with fear.” An unexpected result of Paul’s imprisonment was that other Christians became bold because Paul’s fearlessness opened the door for witness. They became faithful in speaking the word of God with courage and holy boldness. Courage can be contagious. Difficulties arise when opposition is strong, but if we ignore or refuse to let these obstacles control us, others will listen to what we have to say and, by the grace of God, believe the Gospel.
They must have observed him remaining strong under pressure and treating those who guarded him with respect. His words would have been measured and balanced as the opposition targeted him. He would have been quietly confident in the power of God with him, and he was quite gracious in his speech. Living closely with different men, perhaps chained to them, he was neither threatening nor complaining but was compliant.
Yet, the words of the Gospel message were spoken fearlessly, first by him and then by those who had heard and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. His confident boldness encouraged them to speak out for the Lord, not just one or two, but both sisters and brothers who loved the Lord. The Spirit of God used those who had believed in Christ through his message to speak to others.
Bold words of faith spoken with grace and at the right time in the right way impact others. We have something today that the world needs but does not fully realize. We cannot reach everyone, so the “others” boldly proclaim the message that “Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life,” and we can rejoice that Christ is preached. When one person’s faith is strong, it inspires others, and they join in the chorus that the Gospel is true; Christ suffered for sin and died, and now He is risen again.
Confidence grows as laborers deepen their faith and numbers, personally recognizing God’s salvation. From house to house and city to city, with holy boldness, servants of the Lord travel worldwide proclaiming the Gospel. One person with a special vision reaches out quietly, forming meaningful and lasting connections that lead to souls being saved. Others are encouraged, and many in their youth boldly proclaim the Word of God. Even some who are elderly still carry the fire of the Gospel in their hearts and “preach the word, in season and out of season.”
One person sees problems— a world in turmoil without hope, Christ, or God. Another sees people as lost sheep without a shepherd. Some look around complacently, unaware or unconcerned about what is happening, while others, seeing the same issues, lose sleep praying for the lost. Some gather and save funds for a “rainy day,” while others give from their hearts to support Christian workers because the lost souls around them burden them. Some seek new adventures with hopes of playing and having fun. Others are bold in their faith, going to distant places to seek to expand the kingdom of God, not counting the cost.
One man, despite his limitations, can still share his vision. Through his enthusiasm, others catch his vision even if they are only connected to one person by natural ties. Others learn what to do and say by watching and learning from someone who has “been there, done that.” From one to another, the challenge is to reach out and venture with vision and energy; bold enough to speak without fear, the Word of God is spread by word of mouth – the lost are reached.