Going Forth Boldly In Christ

Going Forth

God’s great call to Abram—“founding father”—to go forth from his land, from his home, and from his family, to a land that God will show him. God tells Abram that by doing so, he will be both blessed and a blessing (Genesis 12:1-2). Abram responds to this call by starting an unknown journey with his spouse, Sarai, and their nephew, Lot. This journey will reshape his life and the lives of countless others for generations to come.

The opening words of God’s call, “Lekh lekha,” can actually be translated as “Go forth,” “Go to yourself,” or “Go for yourself” or Get yourself out. However we chooses to translate these words, Lekh lekha is all about movement: going inwards or outwards, moving beyond the familiar and comfortable, crossing boundaries and moving into spaces where we can (re)discover our best selves. It is a journey that begins by first pausing to listen and then moving in step with what one hears, thinks, and feels from the Holy Spirit.

This “going forth” into the unknown can be frightening. There are habits, dreams, and connections that may be left behind. It takes courage and support to move away from what is familiar.

Fortunately, we are made for movement. After all, we come into this world by traveling through a dark passage after growing for months in the womb. Once outside, we naturally begin to reach, to crawl, to walk, and then to run. 

We are designed to “go forth!” As our hearts and brains develop we also seek meaning and purpose. Lekh lekha is a call that reconnects us to the natural impulse to develop and grow, implanted in us by God. 

Genesis 1:26-27 The Passion Translation:

Then God said, “Let us make a man and woman in our image, to be like us, let them reign over over the fish in the sea, the birds of the air, the livestock, over all the creatures that move along the ground,”and over wild animals.

So God created man and woman and shaped them with his own image inside them. 

In His own beautiful image, he created his masterpiece.

Jeremiah 29:11:  For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for prosperity and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.

Jeremiah 1:5 “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you,

And before you were born I consecrated you;

I have appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”( Over 100 verses in the Bible)

Abram ventures into the unknown with a deep sense in his heart… a connection to the Source of Life. He recognizes that everyone and everything he will encounter on his voyage comes  from this one Source. It is this sense of being held by a secure attachment with the Divine that gives Abram the ability to accept the uncertainty experience along the way. Supported by his relationship to God, Abram is able to embrace uncertainty and too actively participate in the renewal of life.

One of the most powerful aspects of this Bible story is that Lekh lekha is a call to journey for us and for others. As we rise up and meet the challenge of playing our best role, we discover not only healing in our own lives but also healing the world. This is why God promises Abram that he will be “blessed” and a “blessing.” In other words, the work of personal discovery and of freedom go hand in hand.

While Abram serves as a model of faith in one Living God, it is also important to note that he does not journey alone. His spouse and family travel with him. Together they experience the joys and sorrows of life. We all need trusted traveling companions—family and friends, teachers, students and the Scenic City Women’s Network.  They cheer us on, provide love and support, and keep us honest to remain committed to becoming our best selves.

Lekh lekha serves as an annual call:

It is time. Go out, to yourself, for yourself, and beyond yourself. You know how to do this. When you are scared or unsure, reconnect with the breath of God, with those who care about you, and put one foot in front of the other. Remember: You learned to journey long ago, even before you took your first step!

Lekh Lekha reminds us that change is possible. These two simple yet profound words help to activate the inherent impulse within each of us to create a better world for ourselves and for all living beings.

Boldly

The dictionary defines boldness as not hesitating or fearful of actual or possible danger or rebuff; courageous and daring: a bold hero. 

But what does the Bible say about Spiritual Boldness?

Jesus died to clean us of our sin, so we can boldly approach our God who is holy and without sin.

(Hebrews 4:16 NASB)

Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need.

Hebrews 4:16 The Passion Translation

So now we draw near freely and boldly to where grace is enthroned, to receive mercy’s kiss and discover the grace we urgently need to strengthen us in our time of weakness.

God fill us with the Holy Spirit which is bold and courageous.

(2 Timothy 1:7-8)

For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.

Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

The Passion Translation

For God will never give you the spirit of fear, but the Holy Spirit who gives you mighty power, love, and self-control. So never be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor be embarrassed over my imprisonment, but overcome every evil by the revelation of the power of God!

God doesn’t simply command courage/boldness with no reason behind it. In nearly every incident where God says fear not, there follows a reason to have courage/be bold  and that reason is God Himself, His Nature and His Perfect Plans.

In Christ

Galatians 3:26-28 gives us insight into the phrase “in Christ” and what it means. "In Christ Jesus we are all children of God through faith, for all of us who were baptized into Christ have clothed ourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Paul is speaking to the Christians in Galatia, reminding them of their new identity since they placed their faith in Jesus Christ. To be "baptized into Christ" means that they were identified with Christ, having left their old sinful lives and fully embracing the new life in Christ (Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23). When we respond to the Holy Spirit’s drawing, He "baptizes" us into the family of God. First Corinthians 12:13 says, "For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink."

Several places in Scripture refer to the believer’s being "in Christ" (1 Peter 5:14; Philippians 1:1; Romans 8:1). Colossians 3:3 says, "For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God." God is perfect justice. He cannot simply overlook or excuse our sin; that would not be just. Sin had to be paid for. All the wrath God holds toward evil was poured out on His own Son. When Jesus took our place on the cross, He suffered the punishment our sin deserves. His last words before He died were, "It is finished" (John 19:30). What was finished? Not merely His earthly life. As He proved three days later, that was not finished (Matthew 28:7; Mark 16:6; 1 Corinthians 15:6). What He finished on the cross was God’s plan to redeem His fallen world. When Jesus said, "It is finished," He was stating that He had successfully paid in full for every act of rebellion, past, present, and future.

To be "in Christ" means we have accepted His sacrifice as payment for our own sin. Our rap sheets contain every sinful thought, attitude or action we have ever committed. No amount of self-cleansing can make us pure enough to warrant forgiveness and a relationship with a holy God (Romans 3:10-12). The Bible says that in our natural sinful state we are enemies of God (Romans 5:10). When we accept His sacrifice on our behalf, He switches accounts with us. He exchanges our list of sins for His perfect account that is totally pleasing to God (2 Corinthians 5:21). A Divine Exchange takes place at the foot of the cross: our old sin nature for His perfect one (2 Corinthians 5:17).

To enter the presence of a holy God, we must be hidden in the righteousness of Christ. To be "in Christ" means that God no longer sees our imperfections; He sees the righteousness of His own Son (Ephesians 2:13; Hebrews 8:12). Only "in Christ" is our sin debt cancelled, our relationship with God restored, and our eternity secured (John 3:16-18, 20:31).