07-01-23

ECCLESIOLOGICAL ETCHINGS
July 1, 2023
Soren Kieregaard once wrote, "People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought, which they seldom use." We want freedom of speech, and it is a marvelous Constitutional right. At the same time, we often do not use our God-given freedom to explore the diverse ideas in the world. We want freedom of speech, but the speech we offer is often nothing more than a regurgitation of the same old, unhelpful stuff from the past.

In Ephesians 6:18–20, Paul writes:

Pray in the Spirit at all times in every prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert and always persevere in supplication for all the saints. Pray also for me, so that when I speak, a message may be given to me to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it boldly, as I must speak.

Paul spoke with boldness about the mysteries of God. The Greek word that we translate as boldly has as its root the idea of something that is poured forth without obstruction. Paul was exploring all these new ‘mysteries’ of life, faith, and God, and from that, he felt moved to speak of them with boldness. Yet even Paul was a work in progress. He did not have it all figured out. Now, it might seem a bit odd to be bold about a mystery, yet the boldness is not a claim of complete understanding. It’s as if Paul is saying, "This love thing is awesome, yet there is even more to know, experience, and share." May we all be bold as we are more fully captured and captivated by the mystery that is the God of love, found in the freedom we have to listen and learn.

​Inspire me, O God, to explore the rich depth and diversity that is the Holy Mystery, and then gift me with some boldness without arrogance for the sake of those who do not feel worthy of love. Amen.