“Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.”
What is Christian courage? An act takes courage if it is likely to be painful. Jesus promised that being a Christian and glorifying His name would be painful: “Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake” (Matthew 24:9). Courage is necessary, then, for Christians. No matter what the earthly cost we must always be prepared to say and do the right thing. That’s Christian courage.
If courage is required for true teaching and evangelism where can we get this courage?
There are a number of solutions:
1. From knowing that the reward is worth far more than any pain on this earth
“I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day” (2 Timothy 1:12).
2. From being made righteous
“The wicked flee when no one pursues,
But the righteous are bold as a lion” (Proverbs 28:1).
3. We can take courage from trusting in God
“Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart,
All you who hope in the Lord” (Psalm 31:24).
4. From knowing and believing God’s promises
“Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)
“Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9).
5. From knowing that God is stronger than every single one of our adversaries
“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid nor dismayed… for there are more with us than with him. With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God, to help us and to fight our battles” (2 Chronicles 32:7-8).
2 Timothy 1:7:
For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of
love and of a sound mind.
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