Moving on, we now begin to think of how God enables us to become the people he created us to be. Firstly God fills us with the Holy Spirit, who is bold and courageous. We do not have to muster courage and strength on our own. We simply submit to the Spirit of God that is within us.
In Ephesians 3:12-13 we read, “It is in this same Jesus, because we have faith in him, that we dare, even with confidence, to approach God. In view of these tremendous issues, I beg you not to lose heart because I am now suffering for my part in bringing you the Gospel. Indeed, you should be honoured.”
These words don’t come out of nowhere. Paul is drawing together and applying all the things that he has been saying in his letter up to this point. For the last two and a half chapters, Paul has described the joy, the privilege, and the confidence that comes from our relationship with God through faith in Christ. Christ is the one who died on the cross and rose from the dead.
- Through him, our sins are forgiven, we’re adopted as God’s dearly loved children,
- Through Christ, we’re reconciled and given peace with God and peace with one another.
- Through Christ and the preaching of the gospel, God’s multidimensional plans for his universe are being fulfilled.
This is all entirely by God’s grace, not by our own works.
It means we can come to God knowing he loves us deeply. We can approach him, and pray to him, and be secure in the knowledge that he hears us and loves us and will give us that great inheritance. This is our confidence, our hope, and our joy. It’s the bedrock of our existence, and nothing in heaven or earth can take it away.
The American painter, John Sargent, once painted a panel of roses that was highly praised by critics. It was a small picture, but it approached perfection. Although offered a high price for it on many occasions, Sargent refused to sell it. He considered it his best work and was very proud of it. Whenever he was deeply discouraged and doubtful of his abilities as an artist, he would look at it and remind himself, "I painted that." Then his confidence and ability would come back to him.
It is not a painting, an image or a replica that we need to look to; our confidence is found in Jesus alone.
Lord, I pray for bold faith—faith that overcomes fear and rises to meet every challenge. Stir up holy boldness within me. Empower me to step out in ways that can only be explained by your hand upon me. Give me courage to take risks for the sake of the gospel. Embolden me to accomplish things far greater than my natural strengths allow. Grow my vision to see opportunities from your perspective, not only my own. Release childlike trust in you so that bold faith flows freely. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
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