Embracing Boldness in Faith: From Self-Centered to Christ-Centered Living

As we step into a new year, many of us find ourselves making resolutions and setting goals. It's a time-honored tradition, but have you ever stopped to consider the nature of these resolutions? More often than not, they tend to be self-centered. Losing weight, eating better, keeping a tidier house - while not inherently bad, these goals often focus solely on personal improvement.

But what if we shifted our perspective? What if, instead of asking "How can I improve myself?", we asked "Who does God want me to disciple this year?" This simple change in focus can transform our approach to faith and life.

The heart of Christianity isn't about what God can do for us, but about how we can serve and honor Him with our lives. Jesus Himself said, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). This invitation to discipleship is a call to move beyond self-centeredness and into a life of following Jesus wholeheartedly.

However, this shift isn't always easy. We live in a culture that often prioritizes self-interest, and it can be challenging to break free from this mindset. Even the early disciples struggled with this. After Jesus' crucifixion, we find them hiding behind locked doors, afraid of the Jewish leaders (John 20:19). These were the same men who had walked with Jesus for three years, heard His teachings, and witnessed His miracles. Yet in the face of opposition, they cowered in fear.

Why is it that we, like those early disciples, often lack boldness in our witness? For many of us, the root cause is fear. We're afraid we don't know enough, that we'll offend someone, or that we'll somehow get it wrong. These fears can paralyze us, keeping us from sharing the hope we have in Christ.

But everything changed for those disciples when the resurrected Jesus appeared among them, saying, "Peace be with you" (John 20:19). In that moment, their fear transformed into courage. The same Peter who had denied knowing Jesus became a bold preacher, proclaiming the gospel even in the face of threats and imprisonment.

This transformation teaches us a powerful principle: we speak boldly about what we believe deeply. When our faith in Jesus becomes the cornerstone of our lives, it naturally overflows into our words and actions. The question then becomes: how amazed are people by our boldness for Christ? Are we as enthusiastic about Jesus as we are about our favorite sports teams or restaurants?

So how do we grow in boldness? The answer is beautifully simple:

1. Spend more time with Jesus. The religious leaders recognized the disciples as "ordinary men with no special training" who had "been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13). When we prioritize time with God - reading His Word, praying, and allowing Him to renew our minds - we leave with a divine confidence that empowers us to make a difference in the lives of others.
2. Ask God for boldness. The early church didn't pray for safety in the face of persecution; they prayed for greater boldness to preach God's word (Acts 4:29). We can do the same, asking God to strengthen our faith and realign our priorities.

As we grow in boldness, we begin to see the world through God's eyes. We recognize the eternal stakes at play. The Bible speaks of two eternal destinations: heaven and hell. While the horrors of hell are beyond description, so too is the glory of heaven beyond our imagination. As Paul wrote, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9).

The reality of these eternal destinies should spur us to action. There are people in our lives who don't know the grace of Jesus, and while it's not too late for them now, one day it will be. We might worry about saying the wrong thing or facing rejection, but perhaps the more important question is: what if we don't speak at all?

Remember, in one moment, the disciples were scared. But when they realized Jesus had risen, everything changed. For some of us reading this, this could be that moment. The tomb is empty, and we have the opportunity to be filled with the Holy Spirit, becoming ordinary people who are courageous in faith and bold in witness.

We believe in Jesus - the name above every name, the soon-returning King of Kings and Lord of Lords, the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He is our Living Water, our Bread of Life, our Savior who died and rose again. This is the message we carry, and it's a message the world desperately needs to hear.

As we move forward, let's challenge ourselves to live less self-centered lives and more Christ-centered ones. Let's ask God for boldness and seek to spend more time in His presence. And let's remember that our temporary discomfort in sharing our faith pales in comparison to the eternal consequences at stake.

In 2025, may we be known not just for our personal resolutions, but for our bold witness to the transforming power of Jesus Christ. After all, we speak boldly about what we believe deeply - and there's nothing more worthy of our boldness than the good news of Jesus.