Bold, but not boastful
Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Therefore, since through God’s mercy we have this ministry, we do not lose heart. Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.
2 Corinthians 3:12—4:2 (NIV)
Introduction
Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Who is the boldest person you know? We all know people who display an outward boldness—they aren’t afraid to put their opinion out there, so they can tend to be controversial. When they walk into a room, everyone knows it. They don’t have to be physically tall, but they make their presence known.
When I think about people who are bold, my mind goes to strong men who have been leaders in some way—people like Paul Keating and Ricky Ponting come to my mind. These men (and of course there are bold female leaders, too) have made their thoughts known and they tend to be respected because of their accomplishments and their apparent fearlessness.
Although, as with anyone who is opinionated, they can be too bold, saying too much, and lose people’s respect. This kind of boldness can come across as arrogance, even if it’s not true. In Australia, “tall poppy syndrome” tends to sort these people out eventually.
But boldness does not always have to come through outward strength and leading from the front. It’s possible to be bold with a quiet confidence—bold in their decisions yet humble in their attitude and the way they relate with people. It’s possible to be bold while also being humble, confident while also admitting you don’t know it all, decisive while also admitting fault.
Today, we’ll see how our boldness as Christians comes not from confidence in ourselves or our decisions, but from the hope we have. Our boldness comes not from ourselves, but it is found in Christ.
In today’s reading from 2 Corinthians, we hear how our hope in Jesus gives us boldness by removing the veil between us and God, by restoring our confidence, not in ourselves but in Him, and by inspiring us to reflect Christ ourselves.
When our hope is in Christ, we can live and speak boldly, no matter the circumstances.
1. Removing the veil
“But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read.” (2 Corinthians 3:14, NIV)
What Is the Veil?
Paul is referring to the veil Moses wore after he spoke with God (Exodus 34:29-35). The Israelites were afraid to see the radiance of God’s glory reflected in Moses’ face, so he covered it. But Paul says there’s a deeper problem—a spiritual veil that still blinds people from seeing the truth about God.
Today, people are still veiled. We read the Bible but don’t grasp its meaning. We hear about Jesus but remain unmoved. It’s like trying to see through a fogged-up window—something’s there, but it’s unclear.
What Veils Do We Put Up?
Sin and Guilt – When we hold onto shame, we struggle to believe God’s grace is really for us.
Pride and Self-Reliance – Thinking we don’t need God, that we can figure life out on our own.
Fear and Doubt – Worrying that God won’t come through for us, so we hesitate to trust Him fully.
The Noise of the World – Social media, politics, entertainment—so many voices compete for our attention and drown out God’s truth.
Sometimes, we put up these veils ourselves. Other times, the world places them there. Either way, the result is the same: separation from God’s light.
How Is the Veil Removed?
Paul gives the answer: “Whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away.” (2 Corinthians 3:16, NIV)
Jesus removes the veil! When He died on the cross, the temple curtain tore from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51)—God made the first move to remove the barrier between us. Through Jesus, we are no longer kept at a distance. We see God clearly in Him.
Living Unveiled
To live unveiled is to live in freedom:
Freedom from fear of judgment—because Christ has paid the price.
Freedom to approach God boldly—because we stand in grace.
Freedom to reflect His light—because we no longer hide behind pride, fear, or sin.
This is where Christian boldness starts—not in ourselves, but in Christ, who removes everything that once stood between us and God.
2. Restoring our confidence
“Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.” (2 Corinthians 3:12, NIV)
False Confidence vs. True Confidence
The world tells us to be confident in ourselves—our abilities, our achievements, our reputation. But self-confidence can be shaky. We all know what it’s like to put on a brave face while feeling unsure inside. When confidence is built on things that change—success, appearance, approval from others—it’s bound to fail. We talked about how we see this in the share market a couple of weeks ago.
Paul points us to a different kind of confidence, one that isn’t rooted in self or anything else that shifts and changes, but in hope that never changes. It’s not a vague, wishful kind of hope, but the certain hope we have in Christ. This kind of confidence doesn’t rise and fall with circumstances—it stands firm because it’s anchored in something unshakable.
How Does Christ Restore Our Confidence?
We are not good enough—and that’s okay. The law exposes our weakness. We don’t measure up to God’s perfect standard. But Paul says the new covenant gives us “confidence before God” (2 Corinthians 3:4-6). Our worth isn’t in what we do but in what Christ has done. That takes the pressure off!
God is at work in us. Paul reminds us that “we all… are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory”(2 Corinthians 3:18). Confidence isn’t about having arrived—it’s about trusting that God is still shaping us, making us more like Christ.
We have nothing to prove. Arrogance comes from needing to prove ourselves. It is a reaction against our insecurity. But when we stand in the grace of Christ, we have nothing to prove and nothing to hide. That gives us the freedom to live boldly—bold, but not boastful.
Living with Gospel Confidence
When our confidence is in Christ:
We can speak boldly about our faith, knowing it’s not about convincing people of our views but God’s power to change hearts.
We can stand firm in truth, even when the world pressures us to compromise.
We can serve in bold humility, knowing that our identity isn’t tied to success or recognition.
Confidence in Christ frees us from both fear and pride. We don’t have to shrink back, and we don’t have to puff ourselves up. We simply stand on the solid foundation of the gospel.
3. Reflecting Christ
“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory.” (2 Corinthians 3:18, NIV)
The Transformation Process
Reflecting Christ means more than just admiring His glory—it means being changed by it. As we behold the glory of God revealed in Jesus, the Holy Spirit works within us, gradually transforming our character, actions, and attitudes. This process isn’t instantaneous; it’s an ongoing journey where our lives increasingly mirror the love, humility, and truth of Christ.
Reflecting Christ in Daily Life
Living Out Love and Grace: When we encounter challenges—be it conflict in our community, stress in our rural workplaces, or personal struggles—the transformed heart responds with compassion rather than judgment. It’s like the disciples who, after witnessing the Transfiguration, were emboldened to serve despite their past fears.
Embracing Service and Humility: Reflecting Christ also means setting aside the desire to be seen as better than others. Instead, we focus on serving our neighbours and giving God the glory, not our own. In our understanding as Lutherans, this mirrors the idea that our good works flow naturally from a heart touched by grace.
Bold Witness Through Transformation: As we live out our transformation, others see a different kind of boldness—a confidence that isn’t boastful but rooted in hope. This is the confidence that comes from knowing we are becoming more like Christ every day, not through our efforts, but through God’s power at work in us.
Living as “Little Christs”
Reflecting Christ means our lives are a testimony to His redeeming work. We are not called to simply admire His glory from afar but to let that glory shine through us—transforming our families, our work, and our community. This is the bold, confident life that follows from a deep, abiding hope in the gospel.
Conclusion
Hope and boldness go hand in hand. Because Jesus has removed the veil of sin, we can approach God with confidence. Because our future is secure in Christ, we can face the world without fear. And because His Spirit is at work within us, we can shine His light boldly in our families, workplaces, and communities. So, as you go into this week, remember: You have a hope that cannot be shaken—and that hope makes you bold.
May the peace that surpasses all understanding, and the hope that is unshakable, guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Amen.
