Ministers Blogs
“SPIRITUAL COURAGE ”
Categories: Christian PrinciplesBy J.J. Turner, Ph.D. ©
What do you think about this quote from Elizabeth Kenny, an Australian nurse, “It’s better to be a lion for a day than a sheep all your life”? How about these words by James Hightower, former Texas agricultural commissioner, “There’s nothing in the middle of the road but yellow stripes and dead armadillos”? The point is obvious: Courage is a desired quality in life. It takes courage to live and die faithfully for the Lord: “ be thou faithful into death and then you will receive the crown of life ” (Revelation 2:10). God doesn’t look with favor upon spiritual cowards: “But the fearful (cowards), and unbelieving, and the abominable shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death” (Revelation 21:8). Paul writes very graphically about the true nature of the spiritual warfare we are engaged in on a daily bases. Read Ephesians 6:10-18. He also reminds us that we are soldiers fighting the good fight of faith (2 Timothy 2:1-3; 3:7; 1 Timothy 6:12). This warfare requires courage, which God gives us (cf. 2 Timothy 1:7). This is why we need spiritual courage every day in our lives. It takes spiritual courage to let your light shine (Matthew 5:15, 16). It takes spiritual courage to stand up for Christ when it is not popular (Acts 5:29). It takes spiritual courage to speak the truth in face of opposition (Acts 17: 22-34). It takes spiritual courage to follow in the steps of Christ (1 Peter 2:21). It takes spiritual courage to deny self and take up a cross and follow Christ (Matthew 16:24). It takes spiritual courage to take charge of your family and say “we are going to follow the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). It takes spiritual courage to believe, say and live these words, “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil” (Psalm 23:4).
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