Philippians 1:14 And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.
1Thessalonians 2:2 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.
It is easy to be bold when you are around people of like mind. Many people can be loud and proud until there is push back or opposition. Then the boldness turns off and they become silent or mediators.
With Paul being imprisoned for his faith, you would think that there would not be anyone wanting to be like him lest they would also be imprisoned. Yet, we see that it emboldened them not silenced them. That is the Holy Ghost working, not flesh.
Paul speaks of suffering and abuse yet with all that contention or persecution he and his co-laborers preached boldly.
Acts 4:29 And now, Lord, behold their threatenings: and grant unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,
30 By stretching forth thine hand to heal; and that signs and wonders may be done by the name of thy holy child Jesus.
31 And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.
How do you get that kind of boldness in the face of threats and persecutions? You pray for God to manifest His power to glorify Himself and Jesus. When your heart is in that kind of prayer it will shake you up and maybe your building as you are filled with the Holy Ghost. Then speaking the word of God in boldness becomes easy because the Holy Spirit has no fear. Then you understand
Zechariah 4:6 that says "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts."
Philippians 1:29 For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for His sake;
2 Timothy 3:12 Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.
It is part of your spiritual birthright to suffer for Christ. If you are living a godly life it will happen as you will be persecuted. Have you been bold in the Spirit lately? Have you decided to be the quiet Christian tolerating evil, heresy and the like while praying for the Rapture before life gets too bad here?
If so, you have missed the point of your calling. Pray for the Spirit to fill you and use you. Pray for the boldness that comes with that. Joe and Jane Average Christian have been silent for too long which is why we see some of the things we see that we do not like. Stop praying for the American dream. It is vanity.
Pray for your birthright as an Ambassador to be manifested. Yes, you may die like the US Ambassador to Libya. You may find God calling you to have a resume like Paul. You may just have to die to self and allow Him to show you great and mighty things that you do not know. Whatever it is, embrace it.
May the fire fall on us and shake us up so we will rise and speak the Word of God with boldness lest we die in our mediocrity and religious recliners. Maranatha!
