The Bible says quite a bit about the animal kingdom. It references the ways of lions, ants, eagles, serpents, rock badgers, locusts, and others. In regards to animals that are majestic in their stride, Agur writes, A lion, which is mighty among beasts and does not turn away from any (Proverbs 30:30, NKJV). Earlier in Proverbs, Solomon compares God's people to lions: The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1). He does not say they need to be bold, or that they should be bold, but that they are bold. Thus as a cowardly lion would be seen as an anomaly, so should a fearful Christian.
As Christians, we seek to imitate Christ. When some disciples were fearful of the Jewish leaders and would not speak openly of him (John 7:13), Jesus spoke freely of his Father's doctrine (John 7:16-24). Upon observing this, ... some of them from Jerusalem said, “Is this not He whom they seek to kill? But look! He speaks boldly, and they say nothing to Him. Do the rulers know indeed that this is truly the Christ" (John 7:25-26)? We also know that the apostle Paul imitated Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). Barnabas declared of Paul, how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus (Acts 9:27d).
Are we bold when it comes to speaking freely of our Lord and his gospel to our friends, family, and neighbors? When Solomon said the righteous are bold as a lion, that statement was in contrast to the one preceding it: The wicked flee when no one pursues (Proverbs 28:1a). Thus they have a guilty conscience and see a pursuer when there is none. The righteous have not lived sinless lives; however, they have responded to the grace of God in obedience and have had their sins pardoned. As they continue to live faithfully, the blood of his Son continues to cleanse them of their sins (1 John 1:7). A person who has a clear conscience will stand before a hostile front, but the guilty will run and hide at just the possibility of one.
In addition to the righteous having a clean conscience, he is bold because he knows his Lord is always with him: Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we may boldly say: “The LORD is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me” (Hebrews 13:5-6). Faith in the Lord always triumphs over fear (cf. Mark 4:40). David was bold before the giant because of his faith in the Lord of hosts (1 Samuel 17:45). Is the Lord with you? You can know by asking this question: "Am I with the Lord?" He is with us if we are obedient to him (Hebrews 5:9).
The apostle once asked, If God is for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31b)? The answer is, it does not matter. Therefore, you and I ought to speak freely to others about the Lord. We ought not to feel embarrassed by the lives we lead in subjection to him. Jesus said, Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven (Matthew 10:31-33). May we think of the last day, when, as the lyrics to the hymn, "I'm Not Ashamed to Own My Lord," say, "Then will He own my worthless name before his Father's face, And in the new Jerusalem appoint for me a place." With that thought, go forth like a lion.
Brotherly, Jamie
