The Source of Boldness
Proverbs 28:1 tells us that "the righteous are as bold as a lion." The only way you're going to have the boldness God wants you to have is to know that you are righteous. When you know who you are in Christ, when you know that God is smiling down on you and your sins are forgiven, that's when you're going to hold your shoulders back and have the boldness and confidence that God really wants you to have.
Being made righteous doesn't mean that we'll always be perfect. It doesn't mean that we'll never make mistakes. But when you have a heart after God, when you have a desire to please Him, when Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then you are righteous by your faith in Him. You have been born into God's very own family. You didn't do anything to earn this righteousness; it's simply a gift, and you have to learn how to receive it.
So many people struggle in this area of righteousness. They carry around guilt and condemnation. They feel wrong on the inside like they don't deserve anything from God. I know people who have made mistakes in the past, and they have prayed and asked God to forgive them. They're very sincere. They've done their part. But they're still holding on to guilt. It's like a dark cloud follows them around everywhere they go. We have to understand that God doesn't work in an attitude of guilt and condemnation, He works where there's an attitude of faith. He works when we have an expectant heart.
If you've made mistakes in the past, don't fall into that old trap; instead, put your shoulders back and go to God boldly. Receive His righteousness by faith. Receive His mercy and refuse to wallow around in guilt and condemnation. You are worthy because of what Jesus did over 2000 years ago. You are forgiven, and you are redeemed. His mercies are new and fresh every morning!
Today, shake off your old rags of guilt and condemnation and put on your robe of righteousness. Be all that God has called you to be and go out with boldness and expectation, ready to receive all the blessings He has in store for you!
Being made righteous doesn't mean that we'll always be perfect. It doesn't mean that we'll never make mistakes. But when you have a heart after God, when you have a desire to please Him, when Jesus is your Lord and Savior, then you are righteous by your faith in Him. You have been born into God's very own family. You didn't do anything to earn this righteousness; it's simply a gift, and you have to learn how to receive it.
So many people struggle in this area of righteousness. They carry around guilt and condemnation. They feel wrong on the inside like they don't deserve anything from God. I know people who have made mistakes in the past, and they have prayed and asked God to forgive them. They're very sincere. They've done their part. But they're still holding on to guilt. It's like a dark cloud follows them around everywhere they go. We have to understand that God doesn't work in an attitude of guilt and condemnation, He works where there's an attitude of faith. He works when we have an expectant heart.
If you've made mistakes in the past, don't fall into that old trap; instead, put your shoulders back and go to God boldly. Receive His righteousness by faith. Receive His mercy and refuse to wallow around in guilt and condemnation. You are worthy because of what Jesus did over 2000 years ago. You are forgiven, and you are redeemed. His mercies are new and fresh every morning!
Today, shake off your old rags of guilt and condemnation and put on your robe of righteousness. Be all that God has called you to be and go out with boldness and expectation, ready to receive all the blessings He has in store for you!