How can I live boldly for Jesus?

How can I live boldly for Jesus?

by Bibi Babatunde-Ikotun
Thursday, January 16th 2020

Quote on living for Jesus

Hi everyone, welcome back to my blog. I’m so happy to see that you stopped by. This means the world to me, I don’t take your presence for granted. How’s the new year going? So far so good I hope. I was joking with a friend the other day about how fast the month of January is moving; I can’t believe it’s the 16th already. If you say your January will drag, it becomes your reality. Learn to always speak to what you want and watch it manifest.

Today I’m going to be talking about living loud and unapologetic for Jesus. This post is inspired by the TSP devotional entry from January 13th titled “Live it loud”.  Have you ever been to a football viewing centre or a stadium during a match? Why is it always so loud?  You see, what you have is a mix of different club fans so passionate and confident in their team's abilities that they are not ashamed to shout, argue, chant about it or put on a bright mix of colourful jerseys and body painting that shows who they represent. They don’t care if the whole world knows they are a big fan of Liverpool or Arsenal. This even trickles down to their social media pages. 1 in every 10 posts on their platform highlights their love and passion for their favourite football team. I guess you already know where I’m going here.

Romans 1:16 (NIV) For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.

To live unapologetically for Jesus means to carry Christ on you for the world to see. That every word that proceeds from your mouth, every relationship you have, everything you own exudes the person of Christ. Like Apostle Paul says in the verse above, He is not ashamed to be identified with Christ or share the message of hope to the world. You too shouldn’t be ashamed. 

Philippians 1:27-28 (AMP) Only [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose], with one [a]mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel. 28 And in no way be alarmed or intimidated [in anything] by your opponents, for such [constancy and fearlessness on your part] is a [clear] sign [a proof and a seal] for them of [their impending] destruction, but [a clear sign] for you of deliverance and salvation, and that too, from God.

As a believer who has heard and believed in the gospel, you are empowered to live a life that represents the gospel. I have had many people reach out to me and say “I wish I could speak my truth about Christ-like you do”. I ask them, what is stopping you? The answer is always in the same category of “I am not good enough to preach Christ”, “My life is not perfect”, “I still have a sin I’m battling with”. All these answers hurt me deeply because all I see is people who do not understand their identity in Christ Jesus. God did not look at you and say “you have to be good enough before you can be saved”.  He saved you to do good works, you were not saved by your good works.

He has made you an able minister of the word the minute you stepped into Christ. He isn’t checking to see your perfection ratio because He made you His very own righteousness. See 2 Corinthians 5:21 (AMP) He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

God is not looking down on you, why are you looking down on yourself? He has made every believer His ambassador on earth to live boldly for Him, preach the gospel to all men, women and children. 

2 Corinthians 5:20 (AMP) So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us; we [as Christ’s representatives] plead with you on behalf of Christ to be reconciled to God.

You’ve been appointed to be His spokesperson on earth. That is who you are. He is not checking to see if you are worthy because He has made you worthy in Christ. I’m begging you, be bold in your identity in Christ! Being timid is not an option for you. 

Proverbs 28:1 tells us that a character trait of the righteous is boldness. You are the righteousness of God in Christ, it is normal to be bold in Him. To add, the source of your boldness is not your background, education, socio-economic status or spiritual gifts. It's not even your behaviour because your identity is not determined by your behaviour. Stop being hesitant to live it loud because you feel like it’s bragging! You can only brag over what you earned, you didn’t end this position in Christ. It was a gift. Tell yourself repeatedly that your sins have been forgiven, you’re free to do great works for God’s kingdom. 

2 Corinthians 3:6a (NLT) He has enabled us to be ministers of his new covenant.

I want to see a generation of believers on fire for Jesus like never before. Our decision to live unapologetically for Christ stems from the standpoint of the gospel. Our sins have been forgiven, God is not and cannot be angry with us. He has called us by His grace, not by our works. The fear of hell can never produce this kind of boldness because you may feel like you’re not good enough. Righteousness is a gift, receive it! Express it unapologetically!

I plead with you, live loudly for Christ. Let everyone know that you’re born again and passionate about who you believe in. Stand firm in Christ because He is more than able to keep you standing till the very end.

“The believer's job is to shine out Christ in their living and in their speaking.” ― Henry Hon, ONE: Unfolding God's Eternal Purpose from House to House

With love,

Bibi

Podcast on this topic will be released on Monday at 7pm (WAT)