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Boldness

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Jun 9, 1910

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 87, No. 23.

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Boldness

By J. S. Washburn

J. S. WASHBURN
HE who fears God will have no fear of demons or men, of wild beasts, of tempests, of fire, or of flood. The fear of the Lord is not only the beginning of wisdom, but it is the beginning of boldness and true courage. “There is forgiveness with thee, that thou mayest be feared.” Ps. 130: 4.
The ground of forgiveness is the ground of boldness. All have sinned. No man can be bold on the ground that he is better than another. Sin brings torment and fear, a certain fearful looking for of judgment; but when we fear God as he would have us fear him, and confess our sins, we are forgiven; and then, while we fear God, we no longer fear the judgment.
A man whose conscience is clear, and who knows that God is a present help in every time of need, need have no fear. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea.”
Courage, boldness, to-day and in the day of Judgment, are given to God’s people, not because of our goodness, but because of his righteousness, his faithfulness. When we have committed all to him, we cease to fear any earthly or satanic power.
The boldest, bravest man who ever lived was Jesus. He faced the combined power of all the fallen angels and of evil men. He met temptation, suffering, mockery, scorn, yea, even death. “Because,” he could say, as we may also say, “he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” “He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
A Christian is not timid. He is not a coward. Weak girls and children were true to Christ, meeting a fearful death in the arena by wild beasts. They endured torture. They stood fastened to the stake while the tide slowly rose about them, and did not quail nor yield. Because the Lord is with us, we may boldly stand, endure, fight the good fight of faith.
Men who have accomplished anything in this world have been men of bravery. Look at Elijah, who faced Ahab and the prophets of Baal, yea, all Israel, saying, “As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand.” Look at the boldness and intrepid courage of the apostle Paul. Hear the ringing words of Martin Luther:—
“And though this world, with devils filled, Should threaten to undo us, We will not fear, for God hath willed His truth should triumph through us.”
Brother, sister, let us lift up our heads. Let us look the world, the danger, yea, all that would cause us to tremble, boldly in the face. Let us cast fears and discouragement to the winds. He who is unconquerable is our friend. He is with us all the days; he will never forsake us. Even in the day of danger and of death he gives perfect assurance.
Facing death, the Christian sings his triumph. He has come boldly to the throne of grace. He has found grace to help in time of need. He has known the experience that perfect love casteth out fear. He has sinned, but O, the blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed from all sin! He has thus, and thus only, a clear record and title to a throne and a kingdom. His love has been made perfect, and he thus has “boldness in the day of judgment.” Even in that awful day when before the face of the Judge heaven and earth flee, he stands purified, cleansed, complete, fearless. Glorious experience! Dear reader, may this be yours now and in the great and terrible day of the Lord just before us.
“Bold shall I stand in that great day, For who aught to my charge shall lay, While, through His blood, absolved I am From sin’s tremendous curse and stain?”
Nashville, Tenn.