Since this new way gives us such confidence, we can be very bold (2 Corinthians 3:12).
Boldness. Confidence. Bravery. Chutzpah.
Whatever you call it, it’s the same idea: The ability to face fear, danger, or opposition—all for the name of Christ.
Is boldness something you generate on your own though? Can you just “man up,” “grow a pair,” and overcome whatever fears are holding you back from proclaiming the love of Christ to others?
Maybe for a bit, sure. But not consistently. At least not to the level it will take to reach the far corners of the Earth.
For that, it will take the confidence that only comes from understanding this “new way” Jesus has brought us into:
The old way, with laws etched in stone, led to death, though it began with such glory that the people of Israel could not bear to look at Moses’ face… Shouldn’t we expect far greater glory under the new way, now that the Holy Spirit is giving life? If the old way, which brings condemnation, was glorious, how much more glorious is the new way, which makes us right with God! (2 Corinthians 3:7-9)
The old way—following the rules and making sacrifices—led to death. Why? Because no one could follow the rules. No matter how hard anyone tried to be good enough, they knew deep down they were failing.
Sure, they could make sacrifices to temporarily cover the death penalty for their sins, but what if they overlooked one? There was constant fear that some sin was left unaccounted for. No one truly knew for sure if they were right with God. They had no confidence because their hope was tied to their own abilities.
But now that you are in Christ, you have been brought into the “new way.” You have been made right with God because of what Jesus has done for you—not because of what you tried to do for Him.
In addition, you now have the Holy Spirit living within you, empowering you with the same eternal life that brought Jesus back from death.
And the best part, is this righteousness, power, and life will last forever. You cannot lose it. It will never be taken away from you. Which is why you can trust this new way with an everlasting confidence, empowering you to boldly proclaim its good news to everyone who has yet to hear it.
