ESOCS Devotional 16 November
TEXT: Philippians 1: 14-25 KJV
MEMORY VERSE: “And many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Philippians 1:14 KJV
When someone goes to jail for a cause such as preaching the word of God, it produces faith or fear in those who are left behind. As we would see today in our text, fear may have been the first reaction of this new converts but it eventually turned to boldness so much so that verse 14 translates “by means of my bonds the brethren are much more bold”.
Paul, in this chapter, emphasized on the primary purpose and duty of every Christian, which is to speak the word of God without fear. Just like the apostles of old, we must learn to speak the word of God with all boldness both in season and out of season (2 Timothy 2:4). In speaking the word, it must accompany rebuke, exhortation, and reprove. Though some may preach the word out of envy of someone’s sufferings as our text rightly pointed out, but we must be amongst those who preach the word from a genuine heart.
We must bear in mind that this doesn’t come without persecutions and afflictions. It is important to note that a lot of the apostles and disciples lost their lives for the sake of the gospel; yet, it still did not deter others from preaching the word; rather, it served as an encouragement to go on promulgating the gospel because of its great reward. This must be our motivation because God has not given us the spirit of fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind, so as to be able to carry out His assignment here on earth in truth.
Read yesterday’s ESOCS Devotional here
When we speak the word without fear, the confidence of the brethren is built. It turns to our salvation through the prayer of the saints and the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1: 19); and our earnest expectation and hope shall not be cut off neither will we be ashamed; but Christ shall be magnified in our body whether in life or in death; and we will be filled with all boldness (Philippians 1:20).
CHALLENGES
- What are the things that hinder you from speaking the word without fear? List them and pray concerning them.
PRAYER POINT
- Thank God for His word. Ask Him to fill you with the Spirit of boldness to declare His word without fear.
FURTHER READING: Job 20:1-11; 21:22-34; Hebrews 1:1-14
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ESOCS Devotional 16 November
