Holy Boldness

(Hebrews 11:6). Jesus gave continuous witness to the trustworthiness of the Father. What man is there among you who, when his son asks for a loaf, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, he will not give him a snake will he? If you, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give what is good to those who ask Him? ( Matthew 7:9) Jesus appealed to the natural good character of any earthly father who would not deny his children’s requests. This implies that Jesus felt that there existed in all fathers an inherent goodness of fatherhood . Every man has a residue of the image of God within them. Even evil men have an instinctive affinity and inclination for caring for their own children. So also and abundantly more so, our Father in Heaven is more to be trusted and more willing to answer our cries for assistance. Additionally, Jesus reminded His hearers of the far superior goodness of God the father over every human father. Significantly, Jesus’ confidence in prayer rested on the nature of the Father. This was the persistent witness of Jesus to God. If anyone ever had the authority to bear witness to the nature of God, it was Jesus. Jesus’ witness to the Father was not simply that of prophet or seer; it was the witness of a son. Furthermore, we know that Jesus entrusted Himself to the Father’s care and the Father’s will until the very end. For all our difficulties, the church should and must be able to find rest in the con sistent, never wavering, eternal witness of Jesus, the Son of God, to the goodness of God. Here lies the foundation of the church’s victory over all the lies. “ So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.” ( Matt 7:12) Jesus told his disciples to do good to all men. This is the way into the Father’s heart and it is also a key to true discernment. Cultivating a good nature by asking the simple question, “Am I doing for others what I want them to do for me,” will expose one’s motives and sharpen discernment. Many believers underestimate the power of Jesus’ simple instructions. Whenever anyone decides to actually make the golden The Golden Rule

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