READING: Acts 8:1-9:43
Boldness can be positive or negative. To be bold in the right direction is strong, but to be bold in the wrong direction can be destructive.
At the beginning of today’s reading, we find Saul in the latter camp. He so passionately sought to destroy Christians that he “would enter house after house, drag off men and women, and put them in prison” (Acts 8:3). He ravaged the church, in fact, breathing out threats and murder even as he sought permission from the religious leaders to keep arresting believers. That’s boldness – but it’s boldness in the wrong direction.
When Jesus interrupted Saul’s journey to Damascus, though, something happened to Saul:
- “Immediately he began proclaiming Jesus in the synagogues: ‘He is the Son of God.’” (Acts 9:20)
- “But Saul grew stronger and kept confounding the Jews who lived in Damascus by proving that Jesus is the Messiah.” (Acts 9:22)
- “Saul was coming and going with them in Jerusalem, speaking boldly in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 9:28)
That’s boldness, too – but it’s boldness in the right direction. It’s Holy Spirit boldness.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Do you have Holy Spirit boldness?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, make me bold.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Acts 10:1-12:5
