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Since we have such a hope, we are very bold (2 Corinthians 3:12, ESV).
Be completely humble and gentle (Ephesians 4:2a, NIV).
Paul writes in 2 Corinthians about being “bold” and in Galatians about the need for “humility.”
Years back, while eating breakfast at my hotel in Russia, Alexander, my interpreter, sat down across the table from me and said, “I have a word from God for you. Actually, it is two words. Can I tell you?”
When someone says they have a word for you (or more than one word), I don’t know about you, but I quickly think, “Uh, oh, what have I done now? Is God mad at me?” Probably sensing my hesitancy, Alexander quickly blurted out, “Bold humility — those are the two words. God wants you to have bold humility in your ministry.”
As I listened to my interpreter speak, I knew that the Bible teaches to be “bold” and that Scripture also encourages us to be “humble.” But I’d never put the two words together. If the Bible wants us to be both “bold” and “humble,” what does it mean? At first, “bold humility” seemed like an oxymoron, so I did what I usually do when confused by Scripture — I looked at the original Greek — hoping for clarity.
New Testament boldness means to speak clearly without fear. As the apostles prayed in Acts 4:29, “Lord, look upon their threats and grant to your servants to continue speaking your word with all boldness.” Humility develops by dwelling in God’s presence as He is sovereignly all-powerful and we aren’t. Humility isn’t groveling or subservience but dependence upon the Lord.
Now “bold humility” makes sense. And believers must develop bold humility.
Aware of God, we speak His words and obey His will with a tenacity that depends upon God. We neither bully nor shrink from others as we speak the truth in love, with our words having a confidence derived from our worship of God.
We see this “bold humility” in the following verses…
All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another (1 Peter 5:5, NIV, emphasis added).
Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love (Philemon 1:8-9a, emphasis added).
I’m glad Alexander gave me this “bold humility” insight from the Lord. I now realize that in the flesh, I’m neither bold, as I constantly re-think everything, nor has anyone ever listed one of my trademark qualities as humility. I’ve developed this motto — bold in Christ but humble with Jesus.
I pray in passion for God’s will, but realize it must be God’s will, and when I forcefully promote Grant’s will, it’s a disaster.
I encourage you to develop…
