Christian Boldness

Mike Ratliff has a good post here.

I wrote to some friends to share it.

As I get older I get more conservative and perhaps unfortunately less tolerant for much of what goes on in the world. Mike Ratliff is one of my favorites writers. I do read him regularly, but usually don’t forward on his posts, though I do quote him on my own blog. Mike doesn’t rant but does speak directly. This is a good one as he concludes with what I too see the truth behind world events.

Acts 4:28 For to do whatsoever thy hand and thy counsel determined before to be done.

Look at v28. God has written all of history according to His eternal plan. The crucifixion of Jesus was no exception. The war between Russia and Ukraine isn’t either. The man in the Whitehouse isn’t either. The state of our economy isn’t either. However, could it be that God is using these pressures for His own purposes? In these last days let us focus on the prayer and obedience and understand that God will work through us with signs and wonders as we speak the word of God with boldness.Soli Deo Gloria!

Btw, if you survey the opening chapters of Acts you read repeatedly how direct and unpolitical correct Peter was.

Acts 2:36-41 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 3:13-19 The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. 14 But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; 15 And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. 16 And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. 17 And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. 18 But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. 19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

Acts 4:1-4 And as they spake unto the people, the priests, and the captain of the temple, and the Sadducees, came upon them, 2 Being grieved that they taught the people, and preached through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. 3 And they laid hands on them, and put them in hold unto the next day: for it was now eventide. 4 Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand.

Acts 4:8-12 Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel, 9 If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole; 10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. 11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. 12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

That’s pretty direct!

Btw2: Spurgeon is still good too!