BoldBelief Devotional

A Call to Bold Faith

Add comment3 days ago3 min readby Paul Natekin

#BoldBeliefDevotional by Paul Natekin

Key Bible Verse:

“Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” — 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)

Have you ever felt like you need to hide your faith to fit in? It’s like being a secret agent for Christ, afraid to “rock the boat” and reveal your true identity. But what if we’re called to be agents of change rather than passengers on a ship that’s going the wrong way?

Apologetic Insight:

(from Greek ἀπολογία, ‘speaking in defense’) Defending and explaining faith with reason and evidence.

Norman Geisler reminds us, “The Christian is not called to be popular, but to be faithful.” We are instructed to be prepared to give an answer for our faith, not to remain silent out of fear of rocking the boat (1 Peter 3:15). In fact, Jesus Himself said that He did not come to bring peace but a sword, implying that following Him might cause division (Matthew 10:34). This doesn’t mean we are to be confrontational or rude, but rather to boldly live out our faith, as Josh McDowell states, “The greatest single cause of atheism in the world today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips, then walk out the door and deny Him by their lifestyle.”

Encouragement & Application:

Just as a single pebble can affect the entire ocean, your commitment to living out your faith can influence those around you. Here are some steps to take:

Pray for Courage: Ask God for the strength to stand up for your faith.
Educate Yourself: Study apologetics to understand why you believe what you believe.
Engage in Dialogue: Don’t shy away from conversations about faith; use them as opportunities to share the Gospel.
Live Authentically: Let your life reflect Christ’s teachings, not just in words but in actions.

Reflection Questions:

How does the fear of rocking the boat affect your willingness to share your faith?
What are some practical ways you can be an “agent of change” in your community or school?

Prayer:

Dear God, thank You for the courage You give us to stand firm in our faith. Help us to not be afraid to rock the boat, but instead to be agents of Your truth and love. Strengthen us to live out our faith boldly, knowing that You are with us every step of the way. In Jesus’ name, Amen.