Are You Bold When It Comes to Sharing Jesus?

“Say with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord.” Believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. Then you will be saved. With your heart you believe and are made right with God. With your mouth you say what you believe. And so, you are saved.” Romans 10:9-10

I am also reminded of this verse:

“For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, that our visit with you was not without result. On the contrary, after we had previously suffered and were treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, we were emboldened by our God to speak the gospel of God to you in spite of great opposition. For our exhortation didn’t come from error or impurity or an intent to deceive. Instead, just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please people, but rather God, who examines our hearts.”
‭‭1 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭1‬-‭4‬ ‭CSB‬‬

The notes in the NIV Life Application Study Bible, Second Edition say this about that verse:

“Fear of imprisonment did not keep Paul from preaching the gospel. If God wants us to do something, he will give us the strength and courage to boldly speak out for him despite any obstacles that may come our way. Boldness is not reckless impulsiveness. Boldness requires courage to press through fears and do what is right. How can we be more bold? Like the apostles, we need to pray for that kind of courage. To gain boldness, you can pray for the Holy Spirit’s power, look for opportunities to talk about Christ, and start right where you are being bolder in even small ways.”

— NIV Life Application Study Bible, Second Edition by Tyndale 

Recently I heard a friend say that they are not sure what their loved one’s relationship is with God. They have known them for over 50 years. It surprises me that the subject has never come up. It surprises me that because of their faith and relationship with the Lord, the subject was not raised. Trust me, I am not scolding, but I am seeing the condition of my friend’s heart. What are they fearful of? Rejection? Why hasn’t the conversation come up? Don’t they share God and their faith with them?

If there is someone that God has allowed to cross your path, please consider that He wants you to tell them about Him. 1 Thessalonians 2 tells us that if God wants us to do something, He will give us the strength and boldness to do it. Boldness requires courage to press through fears and to be obedient to God’s Will. But how can we be bold? We need to pray for that kind of courage. It’s through the power of the Holy Spirit that we look for opportunities to share the Good News. Start right where you are. Right in your circle of influence.

Don’t allow the question of whether they knew God or not to go unanswered because you were afraid to ask them. Imagine if Jesus asked you when you met Him face to face why you missed the opportunity to share Him with other people.

I recall the time my Mom had a roommate that was nearing the end of her life. I had an unrelenting urge to go and pray with her, but I was sick. I asked a dear friend of mine to go in, visit my Mom, and then pray with the woman. She sat with the woman and talked with her but couldn’t bring herself to ask her if she knew Jesus. She left, but the Holy Spirit pressed her to go back and pray the salvation prayer with her. We don’t know the outcome, but my friend obeyed God’s Will. He used my friend. It is not us that saves, but Him who saves.

If you lack the courage to share the Good News, ask God to show you why. Ask Him to help you search your heart. Pray Psalm 139: 23 – 24. He will answer your prayer. Trust that He will give you courage. It is only by the Holy Spirit that you can do this. When we do God’s Will, He promises that we will be blessed.

Who will you share the Good News with today? Be bold, but with humility.