"That was bold!" may mean someone took a risk, typically of insulting someone else. "Bold and spicy" flavors are profound, easily noticeable.
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| "Dog" by SnapStock via Pixabay |
The word "bold" today is a mixed bag, and it's mentioned in the Bible.
Hebrew 10:19 says, "Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus,. . . ." And like faithful Bible readers, we gaze up at "the verse before where you see 'therefore.'" Actually, many verses before verse 19 are packed with God's forgiveness, the sacrifice of Jesus, the intervention of the Holy Spirit, and ultimately the loving relationship we, as believers, have with God.
Verse 19 directly addresses a particular people: brethren, or those who have accepted the saving grace of Lord Jesus. Although the Book of Hebrews was written to believers, verse 19 reminds the Hebrews that the command is specifically for believers to boldly come before the throne of God. We do so through prayer, quiet time with God, fellowship in His name, and worship. Why did the writer of Hebrews give this specific address?
Because only believers have beheld the majesty of Jesus and His sacrifice and His love. Only believers have had almost a sixth sense-- a breathtaking glimpse of God's omnipotence. Only believers have felt the humility that the Creator of beginning and end, the King of every nation's leader is also the King of our hearts. Therefore, there may be a ripple effect as to where we may not feel adequate or worthy to ask God into our presence. This should be a feeling we have, but God says it's okay; be bold, and come on in.
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| "Prayer" by Reenee Black via Pixabay |
Other people in the Bible experienced seeing God's glory, and in turn, were a bit timid in being in His presence. Isaiah, after seeing God, expressed his deep humility: "Woe is me, for I am undone! . . . For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts" (Isaiah 6:5).
John the Baptist, the prophet, knew that his own cousin was the Sacrificial Lamb, and Jesus' presence was still overwhelming: "He who is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry" (Matthew 3:11).
A centurion in Matthew 8 asked for the healing of his servant, but expressed to Jesus, "Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof" (v. 8).
So, a relationship with God is knowing all of who He is, and it should place us in awe, similarly to how we may be nervous in an interview in front of the company's powerful bosses, or how we feel when meeting a celebrity, or anyone with great power. God is all-powerful. Can we, as believers, truly have no problem approaching our Mighty Heavenly Father with boldness?
Just because Satan boldly approached Jesus in the wilderness doesn't mean he obeyed Hebrews 10:19. Just because the Pharisees boldly entered into the homes where Jesus was invited doesn't mean they obeyed either. A friend told me she was always bold: "I go boldly as I sit on my own porcelain throne each morning." Again, that is bold, but not in obedience to Hebrews 10;19. Being bold is easy where there's no humility. This is why the verse specifically addresses "brethren." If the verse doesn't resonate with us, perhaps we need to take time and get to know our Heavenly Father better.
We should not gradually be making our way to our knees in a dutiful manner; we should be falling to our knees, hiding our faces, and letting God pick us up. Boldness before God should be done in humility, not foolish belligerence.
To boldly do something is to fight through intimidation and genuinely stand up and proclaim anyway, so we may feel courageous when we do so. God encourages courage, but in humility. The boldness in humility should be something we practice day-day-day, and it should definitely be taught to our children. Rudeness is an issue as well.
The teacher turnover rate is increasing each year, and students are becoming bolder in how they treat their teachers. Teens are getting bolder in their posts and comments on social media. Children are bold in how they disobey their parents. Olympic openings are getting bolder in how they mock a precious moment in our Savior's love for us. Boldness is becoming a worldly characteristic, and this isn't the type of boldness God wants us to have.
In our boldness before our Heavenly Father, if we must go with ignorance of who He is, acknowledge the ignorance before Him. We need to revive our relationship with God, knowing Him more. Even still, in our foolishness and feeble minds, we approach Him. In doing so is being righteously bold.
Read Hebrews 10 here.