Being Bold
In a world that often feels mundane, we sometimes overlook the power of faith to bring about extraordinary change. The story of Peter and John in Acts 3 reminds us that boldness in faith opens the door for God to do incredible things—even when we least expect it.
1. God Can Interrupt the Ordinary with the Extraordinary
In Acts 3, Peter and John were simply on their way to the temple for a prayer meeting. It was an ordinary day, nothing spectacular on the agenda. But as they passed a man who had been lame from birth, God interrupted the ordinary with a miracle. This teaches us an essential truth: God is often at work when we least expect it. When we open our eyes to the possibilities around us, we allow space for God to step in and change the course of events.
2. Just Because We Don’t Think Something Will Change, Doesn’t Mean It Won’t
The lame man was not expecting a miracle. He had been carried to the temple gate every day, hoping for a few coins. His expectations were low, and he had likely given up hope of any significant change in his life. But Peter’s words, "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, get up and walk!" shattered those expectations. This is a powerful reminder that even when we think nothing will change, God can bring transformation in an instant. We must keep hope alive and remain open to the unexpected.
3. Offering What We Have in Jesus' Name
Peter’s declaration, “But I’ll give you what I have. In the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene, get up and walk!” is a bold testament to the spiritual authority believers possess. We often feel inadequate, thinking we have little to offer. But in Christ, we have everything. What Peter offered wasn’t material wealth—it was the power of Jesus’ name. Bold faith isn’t about having all the answers or resources, but about offering what we have: the transforming power of Christ.
4. You Can’t Give What You Don’t Have
Peter didn’t just speak healing; he gave it because he had a personal relationship with Jesus. This brings us to an important point: we can’t give what we don’t have. We cannot share hope, peace, or healing unless we ourselves have experienced those things through Christ. Our boldness in faith comes from our own intimate connection with God. The more we invest in our relationship with Him, the more we have to give to others.
5. The Most Amazing Gift Is the Gospel of Jesus
While the miracle of physical healing is astounding, Peter quickly shifts the crowd’s attention to the most incredible gift: the gospel of Jesus Christ. “Through faith in the name of Jesus, this man was healed,” Peter declares. But the real miracle, Peter explains, is not just the healing of one man’s legs, but the redemption and salvation offered to all through Jesus. The gospel—the good news of Christ’s death and resurrection—remains the most extraordinary gift God has given us. Healing the body is temporary, but healing the soul is eternal.
6. Repentance Is About Turning Around, Not Just Being Sorry
Peter calls on the people to repent and turn back to God. Repentance, he explains, isn’t just about feeling sorry for past mistakes; it’s about turning around and choosing a new direction. True repentance restores us to God, erasing our sins and giving us a fresh start. When we repent, we align ourselves with God’s purposes, and in doing so, we open the door for times of refreshing from His presence. Repentance is an act of bold faith that leads to spiritual renewal and hope.
Bold Faith Leads to Bold Transformation
In a world full of distractions, it’s easy to think that bold acts of faith are rare or reserved for biblical times. But the story of Peter and John reminds us that boldness isn’t about grandeur; it’s about being open to the ordinary moments where God can break in. Whether it’s offering what little we have, trusting God to change what seems unchangeable, or repenting and turning back to Him, boldness in faith creates space for God’s power to work in and through us.
Let’s embrace a bold faith that expects God to interrupt the ordinary with His extraordinary plans. What miracles, moments of transformation, or divine encounters are waiting for us to be bold enough to say, “In the name of Jesus Christ, rise up and walk!”?