Now the Lord spoke to Paul in the night by a vision, “Do not be afraid, but speak, and do not keep silent; for I am with you, and no one will attack you to hurt you; for I have many people in this city.”
Acts 18:9-10 NKJV
When it comes to professing who Jesus is, God calls us to be bold and never remain silent. Men of the world boldly promote worldly pursuits, unafraid to display their convictions, and even impose them on others. As children of God, we must not cower in fear when declaring the Lordship of Jesus. Wherever we find ourselves, we must boldly proclaim His name and never retreat into silence.
We should not focus on how others perceive us but rather on the salvation that comes when we declare Jesus. People cannot be saved if we remain silent about who He is and the transforming power He brings into their lives. When we boldly share the gospel, we become instruments of the salvation that Jesus has worked for humanity. Moreover, there is no need for fear, as Jesus has promised to be with us when we speak about Him.
Wherever you go, make it your mission to talk about Jesus to your friends, family, colleagues, and everyone you encounter. Do not let fear stop you. Whether it is fear of rejection, judgment, or the overly religious label. Remember, Jesus is the essence of your life and the reason for your salvation. The Lord encouraged Paul in our text to speak boldly and not allow fear to hinder him. As a result, Paul stayed in that community for over a year, reaching out to the people and fulfilling God’s purpose.
If you hold back from raising the banner of Jesus because of fear or public opinion, you misunderstand the purpose of your calling. After salvation, God entrusts us with the ministry of reconciliation. His desire is the salvation of all men. Therefore, do not remain silent, afraid, or hesitant. Be bold for Jesus wherever you go and allow God to use you to bring others to Him.
