“…and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” (Ephesians, 6:19–20, ESV)
The influence of the Apostle Paul is incredible. Most of the New Testament was written by him, and the words he wrote are recited, spoken and thought about daily by thousands of people. If you would’ve met him, you likely would not have thought he was capable of such a strong legacy. He was thought to be an awkward, vertically challenged, religious Brainiac that people would have easily overlooked. Instead, it was Him that God chose to be a mouthpiece for the message of the Gospel to be spread all around the world.
Paul’s faith cost him a lot. He was locked up, shipwrecked, beaten up, left for dead and publicly ridiculed on a regular basis. Before he followed Jesus, he helped people torture and even kill Christians. When he changed teams, he wasn’t exactly welcomed with open arms. At the same time, he was judged and condemned by his old religious friends who considered him a heretic for becoming a follower of Jesus. He had more than his fair share of challenges.
Because of those things, Paul experienced first hand the power of the Armor of God. Not only did it protect him and get him through his difficulties, it literally transformed him. He was changed because of it. He became strong and bold because of his faith in God and his utilization of what God provides. We have the same opportunity. No matter what we’re facing, how under-qualified we feel, what our past says about us, what anyone else says about us, our future is filled with hope.
The Armor of God is what we need. With it we will stand firm, fight off attacks, see the power of God’s Word in our lives, persevere through adversity and find our way into being bold. Living in the power of the armor will give us quite a story to tell and plenty of opportunities for boldness.
Questions for Reflection
How are you encouraged by Paul’s journey of faith?
What’s your biggest obstacle at the moment?
What pieces of armor are you most excited about moving forward?
What opportunity does “Be Bold” bring for you in the near future?