Boldness to do what was needed along with a great sense of patriotism were what drove fighting age men to enlist in the military after the attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941. As FDR stated, “a date that will live in infamy.” And many fighting age men boldly stepped up to enlist after another attack on United States’ soil, September 11, 2001.
Living in boldness was on display when three Americans, including two U.S. servicemen, rushed a gunman who opened fire aboard a train traveling from Amsterdam to Paris in August of 2015; and when Daniel Penny, a former U.S. Marine, restrained a man threatening subway riders in New York City in May of 2024. But boldness is not always physical intervention. Mental and moral resolve in the face of adversity is boldness.
After six days, Jesus took with Him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And He was transfigured before them, and His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became white as light. – Matthew 17:1-2. What was Jesus’ purpose in inviting His inner circle to experience His transfiguration? On the way down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man has risen from the dead.” – 17:9. The validity of the gospel and all of Scripture is in large part due to the fact that every disciple, except John, was martyred for their testimony of Jesus the Christ. This was boldness by mental resolve. Peter, James and John had obviously witnessed something out of this world that secured beyond any doubt that Jesus was the Messiah. In fact, all the disciples saw Him, spoke with Him and touched Him after His resurrection. His birth; His sinless life; the miracles during His ministry; His death, resurrection and ascension, made the story of His transfiguration another beautiful chapter of His journey. Their boldness was grounded in what they knew to be true. Where there is a lack of boldness to stand firm for what is right today, there is a lack of understanding what is true.
In the Truth Project, Del Tacket posed the question, “Do you really believe that what you believe is really real?” A dad’s role is that of a disciple. Our lives, our talk, our walk, all must speak boldly to what we believe and our relationship with Jesus the Christ.
Tips to live in boldness include:
Believe that what you believe is really real;
One true God, have no little ‘g’ gods;
Live more like Christ today than yesterday;
Disciple your children and family.
Prayer guide: Father, thank You for being my Father and for the foundation provided in Your word. I confess that I have chased after little ‘g’ gods in sincere efforts to be a better man, husband and father. Forgive my ignorance. It requires boldness to really believe that what you believe is really real. You eliminated doubt in Your disciples’ minds and have done the same for me through Your word. Thank You for shining Your Light into my life to help my unbelief. You are the one true God. Grant me strength to be more Christ-like today than yesterday and disciple my children and family as You expect me to. That is the dad You call me to be and that’s the dad my kids need to see. Amen.
A faithful father lives in boldness as a disciple of Christ.
