Hope that Makes us Bold

The hope Paul describes in 2 Corinthians is the unchanging truth of the gospel. Jesus’ death atoned for our sins and His righteousness became ours.

Think about this amazing reality for believers: God forgives our sins. He completely removes them from us. God clothes us with righteousness. That’s powerful hope. It’s hope that changes our thinking, hope that makes us bold.

Hope in Jesus’ redeeming sacrifice makes us boldly live with unveiled faces (2 Corinthians 3:13,18). We don’t hide who we were, because the change Jesus makes in our lives brings God glory.

Hope in Jesus, our righteousness, makes us boldly say no to sin and live godly lives through the Holy Spirit’s power.

Hope in Christ’s sufficiency (2 Corinthians 3:5-6) makes us boldly proclaim the gospel. God uses every believer, regardless of age, education or ability, to share the good news of life in the Spirit.

Hope in God’s gift of eternal life through Jesus moves us to boldly live joyful lives, standing firm in the truth, in the midst of trouble and hardship (2 Corinthians 4:7-12).

Holy God, thank you for reminding me of the great hope that I have in Jesus. May I always keep that hope in the forefront of my mind and may that hope make me bold. Amen

TAKE ACTION

Does your boldness (or lack of boldness) rest on your own ability? Instead of trying to “psych yourself up” to share the gospel, spend time meditating on one of the following verses that speak of the incredible hope we have in Jesus: Psalm 103:11-12, 1 Corinthians 1:30, 1 John 2:2, Isaiah 61:10, John 3:16. Ask God to make your actions and words flow from the great hope that He has given you.