Speak With Authority!

We can easily become spiritually lukewarm in this day and age. I think there have all been times that we kept the Good News we have silent and we tiptoed around hot topics so as not to offend anyone instead of clearly and boldly teaching what the Bible says about it.


Jesus taught with authority. “And they went into Capernaum, and immediately on the Sabbath he entered the synagogue and was teaching. And they were astonished at his teaching, for he taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.” (Mark 1:21-22). The scribes and other teachers of that day would quote other teachers and read the text. Jesus was different. He spoke with the authority of God Himself. He lived what He taught. He spoke at their level, applied His teachings to their every day lives.


His authority and example give us all the confidence we need to teach boldly. It’s imperative that we do. We represent Jesus to a broken world. If Jesus has not been bold, if He’d tiptoed around all of the rules, we wouldn’t be saved today. What if He’d decided not to heal someone on the Sabbath? What if He’d decided not to say anything or do anything to upset the religious leaders at the time? They wouldn’t have tried to have Him killed and we would have no hope. We must ask ourselves this then - if we tiptoe around the truth, if we keep the gospel quiet, who are we denying salvation from today because we are timid?


If you’re in need of some inspiration in being bolder, read Paul’s letters, especially those to Timothy! There are so many great truths there for teaching boldly:


“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17).


“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity.” (1 Timothy 4:12)


For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God. He has saved us and called us to a holy life—not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.” (2 Timothy 1:6-10).


“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.” (Romans 1:16)


Prayer:
Father, I ask forgiveness for moments I have been ashamed of the gospel, moments I have been lukewarm. I want to please you above men. I want to speak boldly and proclaim the Gospel, the Good News, to everyone I encounter. Help me to understand Your word, help me to teach and correct with love. In Jesus Name, Amen.