The Lion
The good news for everyone is that God has overcome evil, and has defeated sin and death at the cross. At Calvary, the Lamb was slain for the world and took upon Himself all of our iniquities–“But as it is, He has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, so Christ, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for Him.” Hebrews 9:26-28 (ESV).
The promises that find their yes in Christ Jesus are received when we utter our Amen to God, through Christ, for His glory. God has said Yes to all the good things we could ask Him for–which is Himself; He is the greatest gift that can be given, and the promise that has been kept. The Living God has removed every single barrier for us to access Him, and His arms are wide open to us, saying, “Come to Me, and I will show you what life really means.” Because Jesus is alive and has overcome sin and death, God’s great transaction of grace for our shame is available to all. Christ made Himself the sacrificial Lamb so that we could become the conquering Lion.
Sanctified to be Bold
Yet, at the same time, what is our authority worth if Christ is not in it? “The wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” Proverbs 28:1 (ESV). Lions in the wild are carnal beasts that seek nothing but the satisfaction of their appetites and domination of territory. Only with God can this Proverb be walked out in truth. Are we to be bold as lions while also walking in the likeness of their carnality? It is written that the righteous are as bold as a lion; the first requirement to being bold in the Kingdom of God is being righteous. If one is not righteous, yet is walking as bold as a lion, what is the foundation of their confidence? A person without righteousness trying to fulfill the Proverb will not only mimic the lion in its boldness, but will also partake of the wild lion's nature: a desire to satisfy their appetite and dominion of territory. Without the humble persevering of dying to the cross, boldness can easily lead to the idolatry of self.
Who is the Lion seated on the throne? Is there not but One in the end? “And one of the elders said to me, ‘Weep no more; behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has conquered, so that He can open the scroll and its seven seals.’” Revelation 5:5 (ESV). If I am walking boldly out of a desire only to witness miracles, displays of power, gifts, and changed minds, but do not have love, what profit do such things have, and what glory am I giving to God? God uses even our sin for His purpose–what makes us think that just