I have always admired those who show courage. My heart quickens to the story of the man or woman who, because of God-given conviction, goes against the crowd and peer pressure, stands up, and does the right thing. I want to be like that man or woman—and I trust you do, too!
In my early teen years, I admired Atticus Finch in the book, To Kill a Mocking Bird. Someday, I thought, I want to become like him as a father figure to my children and as a leader in my community. Then when I became a disciple of Jesus several years later, the vision strengthened: I wanted to be known as fair and just and, most especially, as a courageous man, as Finch was in that book. He resisted prejudice and stood up for an innocent man against the whole crowd.
When my challenge comes, I want to choose courage, even if I am all alone.
I knew then, in my increasingly post-Christian home in Canada, that it would take that kind of posture to make it as a faithful Christian. In its post-Christian drift, Canada was ahead of America by a few years, but now the post-Christian ways of thinking have also taken over the major American institutions too. I know by experience what is coming, and I am more convinced than ever that courage is a supremely important virtue for our time. The future health of our families, our communities, and especially our churches will be in the hands of leaders who will need to make many courageous decisions.
“The future health of our families, our communities, and especially our churches will be in the hands of leaders who will need to make many courageous decisions.”
Key Scriptures on Courage
Here are four clusters of key scriptures that highlight the value of courage for us.
Joshua 1:6-9 – As Joshua is about to lead the Israelites into the promised land, God tells him three times to be courageous. He will need courage to resist all kinds of temptations and lead the people. Verse seven states it succinctly:
“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.”
1 Chronicles 28:20 – King David is passing the leadership of his kingdom to his son, Solomon. David knows a lot about leading God’s people—his life is a character study in the trials and joys of leadership. He makes it clear to Solomon that courage is a vital, godly attribute for his upcoming leadership:
“Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”
“Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you.”
Acts 4:13 – Shortly after the early church is established, the Jewish authorities try to stamp it out. Peter and John are arrested and brought before all the authorities who oppose them: the elders and the teachers of the law, Annas the high priest, Caiaphas, John, Alexander, and others of the high priest’s family. It is hard to envision a more intimidating group of people. Yet we read:
“When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.”
Philippians 1:20 – This passage is most helpful to me personally in terms of developing the right mindset. Paul describes the attitude he aspires to hold from prison. He is suffering for Jesus, but he is conscious of exalting Jesus in all that he does. He writes:
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
“I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.”
As Paul describes it, courage for Christian leaders is about exalting Jesus in our lives, regardless of the consequences.
Our post-Christian world is increasingly hostile to our beliefs and practices. On a daily basis, we will face increasing pressure to give in to the world’s values. We seek to honor God’s holiness; they want us to join them in seeking self-satisfaction. We believe Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life; they believe there are multiple ways, alternative truths, for living life. In innumerable ways, we are invited to turn from Jesus and join the world.
How do we live as disciples and lead churches in this kind of environment?
The Influence of Courage
Make no mistake, your choice to be courageous will influence your life every day. Your courage will influence your family, your community, and especially, your church—every single day regularly and significantly.
The book of Revelation provides a strong word for us on this point. It describes a world where there are tremendous challenges for God’s people. There are false prophets, political persecution, economic persecution, trials, and all kinds of difficulty. So many give in and follow the world.
But true disciples of Jesus do not give in—they are courageous. One of the reasons they are victorious is their courage.
“But true disciples of Jesus do not give in—they are courageous. One of the reasons they are victorious is their courage.”
When describing those who go to hell, notice their first attribute and what they lack:
“But the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters and all liars—they will be consigned to the fiery lake of burning sulfur. This is the second death.” (Revelation 21:8)
Let me be blunt.
You do not want to be cowardly.
You want to be courageous and encourage others on our way to heaven.
