B – Bold Courage

Courageous Christian Living

It is not my intend in any way to offend anyone who is not a Christian, but rather to give all an understanding of who I am in Christ Jesus.

“…pray that in proclaiming God’s message

I may speak boldly and courageously,

as I ought to speak.”  Ephesians 6:20

Bold Courage is for the one who must speak and live?

Not being afraid. Not being intimidated.

For me, Livin’ Out Loud 4 Jesus is just that. It is not being ashamed to live—my actions and my words—as a Christian every day in every way—all without being abrasive. It’s about my relationship with other people, whether Christians or not, as well as before Jehovah God.

As a Christian, first and foremost, I am commanded to love the Lord God with all my heart, all my soul, and all my mind… and my might. [Matthew 22:37-38; Deuteronomy 6:5]

 

However, sometimes, my bold courage wavers. Like when people ridicule me for my beliefs. When society condemns me for having such strong convictions. When the enemy of my thoughts tells me not to bother Him with petty matters and causes my approach to the very Lord God I’m to love is done apprehensively. My prayers become lackadaisical and meaningless words rather than confident, persistent bold ones as Jesus compared to seeking a neighbor or friend with persistence, “…ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives; and he who seeks, finds; and to him who knocks, it will be opened.” [Luke 11:5-13]

The very title of Christian implies being an imitator of Jesus Christ, a follower as in “follow the leader.” I’m to do as He does. The Message Bible says it this way: “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” [Ephesians 5:1-2] Which brings me to the second greatest command of a Christian life…

“Love your neighbor as yourself.” [Matthew 22:39; Leviticus 19:18]

To live the Christian life, as an imitator of Jesus Christ, takes bold courage. It is not for the faint of heart. He loved His enemies, and did good to those who hated Him. He turned the other cheek. He gave not only his shirt but His life for others—the whole world. [Luke 6:27-29; John 3:16]

When the world tells us to keep our Christian faith to ourselves, they want to silence us, yet Jesus also tells us that if we are ashamed of Him (embarrassed to wear the Christian nametag) before men, that He will in turn be ashamed of us. [Mark 8:38; 14:29]

It takes bold courage to Live Out Loud 4 Jesus.

“It is my own eager expectation and hope,

that I will not disgrace myself

nor be ashamed in anything,

but that with courage

and the utmost freedom of speech,

even now as always,

Christ will be magnified

and exalted in my body,

whether by life or by death.”

Philippians 1:20 Amplified Bible