Boldy Say It
- Bishop Keith Butler
- Aug 2, 2023
- 2 min read
But Esaias is very bold, and saith, I was found of them that sought me not; I was made manifest unto them that asked not after me.But to Israel he saith, All day long I have stretched forth my hands unto a disobedient and gainsaying people. (Romans 10:20-21)
Romans 10:20-21 is a quotation from Isaiah 65:2. Note how Paul introduced it. He said Isaiah was very bold.
It takes boldness to say things people don’t want to hear. The Jews of Isaiah’s day did not want to hear that God would welcome Gentiles into His kingdom. They did not want to hear that God saw the evil they were doing, and they would be held accountable. They did not want to hear words of correction or admonishment, but Isaiah was bold and said them, anyway!
Paul was bold, too. Throughout the book of Romans, he addressed traditional thinking about worship. When God called Paul to be the apostle to the Gentiles, he began teaching the truth about what Jesus did on the cross. Paul told the Jews they would no longer have to sacrifice animals because Jesus paid for our sins once and for all on the cross. The 613 laws of the Mosaic Covenant were replaced with the Law of the New Testament: the Law of Love.
After nearly 50 years of pastoring, I know one thing for certain: people dislike change and most don't like to be challenged, but that’s what Paul did, and he did it boldly. He taught the believing Jews who were living in Rome that their old ways didn’t apply any longer. The Jews weren’t the only ones who could be saved; Gentiles could too by the precious blood of Jesus!
Practical Application
Thank God for bold preaching and teaching! Isaiah was bold and so was Paul! Don’t be offended by boldness. Always check everything according to the Word and be ready to do whatever God says to do!
