6 Minute Read
Today’s Bible Reading:
1 Kings 1:1-53
Acts 4:1-37
Psalm 124:1-8
Proverbs 16:24
Today’s Bible Verse(s):
Acts 4:13 (NLT): “The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus.”
Reflections on Today’s Bible Verse(s):
The world in which the disciples lived was dangerous. It was like going on a Christian mission trip … to Iran or someplace like that. As you share Jesus in that context, you know that you will get put into jail, possibly beaten, and there is a reasonably high probability that you will be killed.
However, this was a way of life for the first-century disciples.
But, they were men with fears just like us. They didn’t enjoy rejection. They didn’t like to feel pain. And death was certainly something they didn’t particularly want to experience yet. Sharing the Gospel would almost certainly bring on some or all of what I just mentioned.
So, they may have grappled with the desire to keep quiet. To exalt self-preservation.
But they didn’t. The Gospel was too important. People needed to be warned about the Day of Judgment. They needed to know about God’s love and what Jesus did for them to secure them a place in God’s family if they would only repent and believe.
So, they spoke those powerful words that could get them killed. And they did it with boldness.
How could they be so bold in such a terrifying environment?
Well, they prayed for boldness (see Acts 4:29-31). They asked for the courage to do the hard thing, and God gave it to them.
But, they also spent much time with Jesus. That’s what the verse I have chosen for today says about them. It was evident that they had spent much time with the Lord Jesus Christ.
For those disciples, that meant that as Jesus’ disciples, it was clear that He had taught them well. The leaders of the city could see “Jesus” all over the disciples.
For us, we’ve never personally met Jesus. But, we can spend so much time with Him that it becomes evident to others that we are His disciples.
How can we spend time with Him? Just have a Bible in your hand often throughout each day. Enjoy it like you would a delicious meal. Read, study, and reflect on it. Get it into your mind and heart so that God’s fingerprints are all over you.
And when you do, friend, you will begin to develop boldness. As you also cultivate things like prayer, practicing and enjoying God’s presence, and things like that, you won’t be able to keep God’s truths hidden. You will enjoy them and realize that people need to hear about what Jesus has done for them and how God has called them to live.
So, work toward being a bold Christian unafraid to share the Gospel. Get that way by praying for boldness, rest in God’s continual presence with you, and then spend much time with Jesus in His Word.
Matt Ellis is the pastor of First Baptist Church in Polk City, Florida (fbcpolkcity.com). His latest book is God’s Grace in the Real World. Connect with him on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.
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