Godly Boldness Is Humbly Confident
The Lord wants us to be bold in approaching Him (Heb 4:16, Montgomery). It is not to be the boldness of pride as was true of the arrogant, false teachers of 2 Pet 2:10 (NIV). Rather, we are to be humbly courageous in our boldness with confidence in our God, who loves us (EDBW, p 137). This can only occur when we keep our conscience clear (Prov 28:1, ASB note). Part of a clear conscience is having faith in Christ. Another aspect is doing our reasonable best in the position to which God has assigned us (1 Tim 3:13, NLT). For example, bold Elijah refused to water down God’s message even when he conveyed it to the messenger of rebellious king Ahaziah (2 Ki 1:16, Dake note).
Why does God want us to have a glad boldness with Him? First and foremost, the Lord wants this because He is our dear Father and we are His children (Heb 4:16 with 1 Jn 3:1). We also are His servants but Jesus taught us to address God primarily as Father (Mt 6:9). With a good, loving Father, it is most appropriate for us to express gladness and confidence that we are accepted. What emphasis is more likely to lead to intimacy with our Abba Father: a child who lovingly does what His wonderful daddy asks or a servant who dutifully obeys His Master while also recognizing that he is a son?
Let us be confident enough in God’s loyal love for us that we bravely, humbly, and boldly do what He wants us to do.
Unending pleasure in the next life; training for godly pleasure in this one.