Let's Speak God's Word With Boldness And Conviction!

With all of the religious division in the denominational world as well as in some churches of Christ, followers of Christ have become afraid of speaking plainly and boldly the things of God's word (cf. 2 Corinthians 3:11-12).

We fear offending our religious neighbors, alienating ourselves, or being thought of as being dogmatic, Pharisaical, or judgmental; or any other myriad of adjectives that gets hurled in our direction — simply because we state what the inspired Word of God teaches (Acts 4:13-20). Brethren, we need to get over this fear! (1 John 4:15-18).

There are a myriad of New Testament examples that teach us to deliver God's word with conviction. When Jesus taught, the people exclaimed, "No man ever spoke like this Man!" (John 7:46). When the Jewish leaders heard the bold preaching of Peter and John, "they marveled, and they realized that they had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). 

The apostle Paul's speech and preaching were "in demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (1 Corinthians 2:4), and even his opponents said, "His letter are weighty and powerful" (2 Corinthians 10:10). Yes, there's no question that speaking God's truth boldly, carries risk (Acts 4:13-20; Acts 5:17-29; Acts 7:1-60). John the Baptist dared to rebuke Herod Antipas for taking his brother's wife, and lost his head as a result (Matthew 14:3-12). 

Perhaps the same fate will befall us for doing as John did, when he spoke on this very "sensitive" subject. If that be so, so be it! (cf. Esther 4:15-16). Far better that we lose our heads for the sake of the gospel than keep them and be eternally lost! (Matthew 16:24-28). We may gather larger crowds by mouthing smooth platitudes and scratching itching ears (Isaiah 30:9-10; 2 Timothy 4:3-4), but we will convert no one to Christ using these worldly methods. Some people may despise us for our forthrightness, "but speaking the truth in love" must always be our charge (Ephesians 4:15).

As did the saints of the first century, let us pray that God will grant us the boldness and the conviction to unswervingly speak and uphold His word (Ephesians 6:18-20; Philippians 1:12-21; cf. Acts 4:29; Acts 9:27; Acts 13:46; Acts 14:1-3; Acts 19:8; Acts 26:26; 2 Corinthians 3:12; Philippians 1:20).

—Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets