13 Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, “I believed, and so I spoke,” we also believe, and so we also speak, 14 knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence. 15 For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God. 2 Corinthians 4:13-15

Fear can be a paralysing force in the life of any Christian. Whether fear of being rejected or fear of being persecuted or even perhaps, when we are asked difficult questions about faith we just remain silent. It may even be that some cover up their faith.

I doubt if there has ever been a believer who hasn’t at some time or other kept his or her mouth shut when they should have spoken out. All of these things add up and can cause us to look back and feel guilt, disappointment or even shame over times when we should have demonstrated courage but only to have shrunk back.

Remember the famous incident at the Diet of Worms in 1521 when Martin Luther stood resolute and firm declaring his faith. It was April 17, at 4:00 p.m., when Charles V The Holy Roman Emperor, challenged him with two questions.

1, Did he acknowledge that the books on the table before him were his?

2, Would he stand by them or retract what he had written?

Luther’s reply: “ Yes, the books are mine, but whether I shall reaffirm in the same terms all, or shall retract what I may have uttered beyond the authority of Scripture, because the matter involves a question of faith and of the salvation of souls, and because it concerns the Word of God, which is the greatest thing in heaven and on earth, and which we all must reverence, it would be dangerous and rash in me to make any unpremeditated declaration, because in unpremeditated speech I might say something less than the fact and something more than the truth; besides, I remember the saying of Christ when He declared, ‘Whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven, and before His angels.’ For these reasons I beg, with all respect, that your Imperial Majesty give me time to deliberate, that I may answer the question without injury to the Word of God and without peril to my own soul.”

A day later he returned at 6.00pm to face Charles V, The Holy Roman Emperor, this was his reply:

“ Unless I am refuted and convicted by testimonies of the Scriptures or by clear arguments (since I believe neither the Pope nor councils alone; it being evident that they have often erred and contradicted themselves), I am conquered by the Holy Scriptures quoted by me, and my conscience is bound to the Word of God: I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against the conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen!”

At this point can I make a couple of book recommendations:

Here I Stand: A Life of Martin Luther by Roland H Bainton, and,

The Ninety-Five Theses and Other Writings (Penguin Classics) Paperback by Martin Luther

I guess our current circumstances may seem less threatening. It isn’t with exile or death that we are threatened when challenged about our faith. Yet, deep inside, I believe we want to speak with the same clarity and courage that Luther did. Is that possible? If so, how?

Paul was faced on countless occasions with a similar situation. Abused, threatened, ridiculed, beaten, imprisoned, facing a death sentence, yet each time he did not deny his faith or shrink back, he refused to remain silent! How did he do it? How might we do it?

Here in 2 Corinthians 4:13-15 we get an idea or a glimpse of what motivated and sustained Paul in his courageous and unflinching defence of the gospel. There are five factors that played a role in sustaining him in his defence of Christ and the gospel;

1, He is bold because he believes, utterly. “We also believe,” says Paul, “and so we also speak.” Paul’s confidence was that the Holy Spirit had awakened something deep in his heart that produced a conviction of the truth of the gospel. In chapter 4:10-12 Paul speaks of an experience of death.. yet, what had occurred through the Holy Spirit, created in him a belief in the truth of Christ and the gospel of Christ that produced a remarkable, powerful capacity to generate courage in the face of the enemy. Strong belief!

2, Paul speaks in the face of all opposition because he knows, “that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus.”

In other words, what ultimate harm can any man inflict on Paul if God has pledged himself to raise him up with Christ on the last day? Yes, they can crush the body, but God will glorify it. Yes, they can terminate his earthly existence, but God has promised eternal life. It sounds a bit ‘gung ho’ but here is the truth, “the same God who raised Jesus from the dead will raise me from the dead. To die is gain says Paul.

3, Paul’s courage to speak up and confront unbelief with the truth comes from knowing that God has promised to, “bring us . . . into his presence.” The prospect of standing unashamed and joyful in the blinding, breathtaking presence of the glory of God was enough to sustain Paul and to enable his otherwise hesitant heart.

Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, Jude 1:24

Also, Paul knew that this ‘presence’ wasn’t just awaiting him in the future, in the present he was not abandoned, and alone because God was with him.

16 At my first defence no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. 2 Timothy 4:16-17

4, Paul could hardly remain silent knowing that to speak boldly was for the sake of the Corinthians whom he loved so much. “For it is all for your sake,” he said to them, “so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.”

He is saying, If I were to stop speaking, if I were to surrender to intimidation or pressure or threat of persecution, you are the ones who would suffer loss, for the “grace” that comes through the gospel would not reach those who need it most. Stopping me speaking is bigger than just my silence.

5, There is something even greater at work in his heart that accounts for his bravery. As I speak, said Paul, the saving and sanctifying grace of God extends to more and more people. And as this grace is embraced and enjoyed, its recipients turn their hearts toward heaven with passionate and whole-souled gratitude to God. And when they do, He is glorified! It’s all about God being glorified. The ultimate reason for Paul’s refusal to keep silent, the basis of his boldness, was his desire to draw ever greater and more attention to God.

Perhaps Paul, in his own way, may have on more than one occasion uttered words similar to Luther’s: “My conscience is bound to the Word of God: I cannot and I will not recant anything, since it is unsafe and dangerous to do anything against the conscience. Here I stand. I cannot do otherwise. God help me. Amen!”

Do you believe? Then it is time for us to speak.