“This mystery is that Gentiles are fellow heirs, members of the same body, and partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” Ephesians 3:7
The gospel is a counter-cultural message.
Because of God’s grace, He has invited those considered unworthy to become part of the family of God. The gospel says all who trust in Christ – regardless of where they are from or what they look like, or what they have done – are members of one body, heirs of the kingdom, and partakers of the promise in Christ.
This is amazing! And is part of the reason Paul is in prison – but where does Paul’s boldness come from? How does he have the courage to share the gospel from a prison cell? How does he have the boldness to stand up and point to Jesus?
His boldness as a gospel witness comes from what he has received. God, in His grace, has been so good to Paul, and so radically changed his life that he boldly proclaims the gospel even in prison.
Becoming a bold witness comes from recognizing that you are unconditionally loved and granted access to God through His grace. It is the overwhelming grace of God that empowers a bold witness.
Boldness comes when, like Paul, we recognize that we have been granted access to God that we don’t deserve and are unworthy to receive.
Yet, we have been invited in by His grace! If we can revel in the love of God in Christ, it will change everything! Your failures do not define you. Your struggles can be brought into the light. Your inadequacies and shortcomings fade with a glimpse of the Gospel and God’s magnanimous love for you!
Allow the gospel to reframe the story you tell yourself. And when you experience that kind of love in God’s grace, you can’t be silent about what you’ve received!
Heavenly Father, help us to see the beautiful gift of your grace made available through Christ. And may your Spirit empower us to live with boldness and confidence as we tell others about the beautiful gift lavished upon us through Jesus Christ!
Taken from a sermon by George Wright, Senior Pastor, Shades Mountain Baptist Church, Birmingham, AL
LEARN MORE ABOUT SHARING CHRIST
Read “WHAT’S YOUR CHRIST STORY?” by Bryant Wright
