Where is Our Biblical Boldness?

Harold Carswell, Jr.
12/02/23 - Evangelism

I realize already that this article will be disagreeable to some and detestable to others. Nevertheless, I must ask, where is our Biblical boldness? This question really goes to the heart of our faith in God and the Bible as His word. There are many passages that speak of the assurance and hope that God’s children had in His promises.

We have seemingly lost the ability, or better stated, willingness, to say truly what the Bible says, especially about condemnation. It is my experience (perhaps you have a different one) that we are more than willing to talk about salvation or what one must do to be saved, than we are at what one does to be lost. I have been told in the past to just preach the former and the latter will take care of itself. This was somewhat similar to another statement I was told in preaching about denominationalism, “just preach about the Church and people will see the fallacy of denominationalism.” In other words, don’t specifically preach denominational condemnation. Or in essence, don’t be specific! These are statements based on human wisdom and are not according to Biblical preaching.

I do realize that we must exercise wisdom and discretion in how we speak; however, does that wisdom and discretion in how we speak automatically translate into what we speak?

We must be wise…

“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” (Matthew 10:16 KJV)

“Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.” (Colossians 4:5 KJV)

We must be able to use discernment…

“And of some have compassion, making a difference:” (Jude 1:22 KJV)

Do these verses, however, address method or content? It is my contention that many, if not most, Christians have come to believe verses such as these address the latter and not the former. I will also say, even in method, we have come to accept certain styles of preaching over other styles. There is a difference in acceptance and preference.

What verse or verses of Scripture can be deemed inappropriate?

“Of these things put them in remembrance, charging them before the Lord that they strive not about words to no profit, but to the subverting of the hearers. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness.” (2 Timothy 2:14–16 KJV)

What did Paul preach? The Scriptures state Paul preached the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-3). What does it mean to preach the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Is it preaching just the fact or information about his death, burial, and resurrection (basically, just preaching His obituary), or does it entail preaching the facts and implications of those facts? Does it entail preaching just what it means to accept them or does it include also what it means to reject them? Paul preached it all…

“Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.” (Acts 20:26–27 KJV)

Biblical boldness is not confidence in one’s abilities, but more so, assurance in God’s faithfulness. We cannot and must not ever trust in ourselves, but only God (1 Timothy 4:10).

There are numerous examples of Biblical boldness recorded in Scripture. I would like to point out just a few of them for our purposes.

Moses had Biblical boldness (assurance of God’s faithfulness) when he confronted the sons of Korah (Numbers 16:1-50). About the sons of Korah, along with Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, because of their rebellion and rejection to God’s leadership, Moses said something which speaks to Biblical assurance:

And Moses said, Hereby ye shall know that the LORD hath sent me to do all these works; for I have not done them of mine own mind. If these men die the common death of all men, or if they be visited after the visitation of all men; then the LORD hath not sent me. But if the LORD make a new thing, and the earth open her mouth, and swallow them up, with all that appertain unto them, and they go down quick into the pit; then ye shall understand that these men have provoked the LORD. And it came to pass, as he had made an end of speaking all these words, that the ground clave asunder that was under them:” (Numbers 16:28–31 KJV)

The prophet Micaiah had Biblical boldness (assurance of God’s faithfulness) in regard to the judgment of king Ahab, when he told him of his fate. Ahab told Joash to afflict Micaiah until he came back safely and Micaiah replied by saying:

And say, Thus saith the king, Put this fellow in the prison, and feed him with bread of affliction and with water of affliction, until I come in peace. And Micaiah said, If thou return at all in peace, the LORD hath not spoken by me. And he said, Hearken, O people, every one of you.” (1 Kings 22:27–28 KJV)

The apostle Paul had Biblical boldness (assurance of God’s faithfulness) in regard to the rejection of Christ by the Jews in Antioch of Pisidia:

“Then Paul and Barnabas waxed bold, and said, It was necessary that the word of God should first have been spoken to you: but seeing ye put it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles.” (Acts 13:46)

If we trust God’s word for salvation, we must equally trust it regarding condemnation. The gospel brings forth the good news of salvation to all who obey it. However, it equally brings the bad news of condemnation to all who reject it!

Remember the words of the Lord Himself:

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness. And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” (John 12:46–48 KJV)