…and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, (Ephesians 6:19 ESV)
Fear Not… Then Proclaim the Gospel
John F. Kennedy was shipwrecked in the middle of a battle during WWII. And as his crew gathered on a small island in the Pacific Ocean, they were all afraid. Somehow, Kennedy overcame that fear, and found courage. And that enabled him to act boldly. He attempted various means to be rescued, survive, and find hope. But it began with an end of fear for Kennedy.
For God’s folk, too, after fear comes boldness. But not any kind of boldness. Paul tells the Ephesians that after HIS fear, he yearns for boldness in talking about Christ Jesus. Paul’s asked for boldness would enable him to turn every fearful situation into an arrow aimed at the gospel.
The things that used to make us afraid are now venues for boldness. The same problems, pains, and darkness no longer make us shake, instead we walk among them boldly, using them as opportunities to talk about Jesus. Yes, we used to be afraid, but now we know more about Jesus and we can talk about it. Yes, we used to see problems as prime, but now we know that Jesus solves problems and we can talk about it. Yes, we used to dwell in darkness, but we have seen a great light and we can talk about it.
Fear not, then proclaim the gospel.