Biblical Free Speech

Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Hebrews 10:35  NASB

Confidence – In the world of Babylonian entitlement, we often find the claim of free speech at the top of the list.  Today we are sensitive to the oppression of the press, to the manipulation of the media and to all who are not given a voice in society.  We might think that this great “right” is based in the Greek idea of freedom, just as forms of representative government are based in Greek thought.  We might notice that this word combines two other Greek words meaning “all” and “speaking.”  Parresias does mean “freedom in the act of speaking.”  The word implies that we have boldness and freedom to speak of our experience of faith.  But the basis of our confidence is not the Greek idea of the inalienable rights of human beings.  Our confidence comes from God, not men.  Because God accepts us, we are invited to become citizens of His new kingdom – the kingdom of the redeemed.  Acknowledging our guilt and accepting God’s forgiveness means that our lives are no longer lived in fear.  We no longer need to be afraid to express our feelings, our concerns, our struggles or our testimony of His care.  We can boldly proclaim that God has done something in our lives.  We can speak freely of His love poured out toward us.  We are the evidence that His promises are true.

The letter to the Hebrews gives more content to this word.  In Hebrews, the word expresses the free access that we have to God because of the sacrificial death of Yeshua.  Our greatest obstacle is overcome.  We are no longer separated from the One who is the author and finisher of Kingdom trust.  We can find our individual purposes in life.  We can have the joy and fulfillment that we were destined to have.  Why?  Because we can now enter into conversation and relationship with our Creator.  The walls of sin and the separation of guilt have been torn down.  Yeshua’s death and resurrection allow us completely free access to God.  Not only are we free to speak the reality of faith acting in us, we are free to enter into God’s holy kingdom as fully accepted sons and daughters.  Therefore, says the writer, don’t throw away this priceless gift of access, given to you at great cost.  Use it and find great reward.  The divine lover of your soul is waiting to greet you today.

Topical Index:  confidence, parresias, speak boldly, Hebrews 10:35