Brokenhearted Boldness: Cultivating a Powerful and Compassionate Witness

Boldness is a quality that is highly valued in the Christian faith. It is often associated with courage, fearlessness, and a willingness to stand up for one's beliefs. However, in recent years, there has been a distortion of this boldness, with some Christians becoming brash, angry, and contentious in their approach. This type of boldness is not only unattractive, but it can also be damaging to the message of the Gospel.

At Desiring God, we believe that true boldness is not a personality trait, but a miracle of God's Spirit. It is a gift that comes from God and is meant to be used for His purposes. We also believe that boldness should be combined with another important quality - brokenheartedness. This combination of boldness and brokenheartedness is what we call "brokenhearted boldness," and it is one of God's most beautiful works.

Boldness is a recurring theme in the Bible. We see examples of boldness in approaching God, in speaking the truth, in standing up for righteousness, and in facing new challenges. The Bible presents boldness as a desirable and admirable quality, one that we should strive to cultivate in our own lives.

But what sets Christian boldness apart from the world's version of boldness is the presence of brokenheartedness. Brokenheartedness is a recognition of our own sinfulness and a deep sense of sorrow and contrition. It is an understanding that we are unworthy of God's grace and mercy. This brokenness allows us to approach God with humility and reverence, and it keeps our boldness in check, preventing it from becoming arrogant or prideful.

In the Bible, we are reminded that the Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. We are told that a broken and contrite heart is a pleasing sacrifice to God. God dwells with the lowly and contrite, and He attends to those who tremble at His word. These passages show us that brokenheartedness is not a sign of weakness, but a sign of true humility and dependence on God.

But why is brokenheartedness necessary in combination with boldness? Why can't we simply be bold in our faith without the brokenness? The answer lies in the reasons for our boldness. The Bible gives us beautiful reasons to be bold - our sins are forgiven, we are righteous in Christ, we have eternal life, we are children of God, and we have the assurance that everything will work for our good. These reasons are breathtaking, and they should fill us with a sense of boldness and confidence.

However, if we lack brokenheartedness, our boldness can easily become distorted. It can turn into arrogance, self-righteousness, and a lack of compassion for others. Without brokenheartedness, our boldness can become harsh, severe, and unloving. It can lead us to condemn others instead of extending grace and mercy.

On the other hand, when we combine boldness with brokenheartedness, something beautiful happens. Our boldness is tempered by humility and compassion. We become aware of our own sinfulness and shortcomings, which leads us to extend grace and forgiveness to others. Our brokenness keeps us from becoming prideful or judgmental, and it allows us to approach God and others with gentleness and love.

Think of it like a beautiful dance - boldness and brokenheartedness moving together in perfect harmony. It is a delicate balance, but when done correctly, it creates a powerful and compelling witness to the world. It is a witness that says, "Yes, we are bold in our faith, but we are also broken and in need of God's grace."

In our world today, there is a great need for brokenhearted boldness. We live in a culture that is marked by anger, outrage, and cancel culture. It is a culture that demands conformity and punishes those who do not align with its values. In the midst of this, Christians are called to be bold in the truth, but we must also be brokenhearted for those who are lost and in need of God's love and mercy.

Brokenhearted boldness is not easy to cultivate. It requires a deep examination of our own hearts and a willingness to confront our own sinfulness. It requires us to be honest with ourselves and with God, and to seek His forgiveness and transformation. It is a constant process of surrender and dependence on the Holy Spirit to work in us and through us.

But the beauty of brokenhearted boldness is worth the effort. It allows us to be bold in our faith without compromising our compassion and love for others. It allows us to speak the truth with grace and humility, and to extend God's love and mercy to those who are hurting and broken.

As Christians, we are called to be a light in the darkness, to be bold in our witness to the truth, and to be brokenhearted for those who are lost and in need of God's love. Let us strive to cultivate brokenhearted boldness in our own lives, and may it be a testimony to the transforming power of God's Spirit.