Courage & Cowardice

Image from Web Jesus’s disciples went from cowardice after Christ’sdeath and burial to courage after the baptismal outpouring of the Spirit uponHis Church. Cowardice? ‘Then, the same day at evening, being the first day ofthe week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled,for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said tothem, “Peace be with you”’ (John 20:19; see also 26).Courage? ‘So they called them and commanded them not to speak at all nor teachin the name of Jesus. But Peter and John answered and said tothem, “Whether it is right in the sight of God to listen to you more thanto God, you judge. For we cannot but speak the things which we have seenand heard”’ (Acts 4:18-20).

It is true that ‘Thebetter part of valour is discretion’ (William Shakespeare) and that ‘Fools rushin where angels fear to tread’ (Alexander Pope). However, as Christians we mustnever be cowardly but rather courageous with the gospel. ‘For I am notashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvationfor everyone who believes’ (Rom. 1:16a). As Jesus says, ‘For whoever is ashamedof Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes inHis own glory, and in His Father’s, and ofthe holy angels’ (Luke 9:26).

Image from WebTo be sure, some Christiansare timider than others, just as some are more gifted at articulating theChristian message than others. However, as a Christian ‘Always be prepared togive an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for thehope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect’ (1 Pet. 3:15).We see this illustrated in the following, ‘Now a woman, having a flow ofblood for twelve years, who had spent all her livelihood on physicians andcould not be healed by any, came from behind and touched the border of Hisgarment. And immediately her flow of blood stopped. And Jesus said, “Whotouched Me?” When all denied it, Peter and those with him said, “Master, themultitudes throng and press You, and You say, ‘Who touched Me?’” But Jesussaid, “Somebody touched Me, for I perceived power going out from Me.”Now when the woman saw that she was not hidden, she came trembling; and fallingdown before Him, she declared to Him in the presence of all the people thereason she had touched Him and how she was healed immediately. And He said toher, “Daughter, be of good cheer; your faith has made you well”’(Luke 8:43-50).

Image from Web        Jesus asked thetrembling woman to make a public profession of faith. As difficult as it wasfor her, at the Lord’s request, she went from cowardice to courage. EveryChristian today learns ‘that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesusand believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will besaved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouthconfession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoeverbelieves on Him will not be put to shame”’ (Rom. 10:9-11).

Isit cowardice or courage with you? If it is cowardice, then humbly ask the Lord to giveyou courage to confess, to make your profession of faith before others. Thewoman with the blood issue wanted to remain hidden in the crowd. Yes, this isthe same reason some Christians attend churches with large congregations. But,just as Jesus requested the lady to make her public profession of her faith inHim, so He requires the same of you and me. Courage encourages courage. Thatwoman did as the Lord bid and no longer hid. And may her courage help change your and mycowardice to courage!