Courage is Necessary for Christians

Ask around, and people have many definitions for courage. Some folks have the mistaken notion that courage includes doing something reckless. "Yep, took lots of courage to try to jump that active volcano with a bicycle." No, that is stupidity. 

Bravery is often used synonymously with courage, but there are differences. A person can be courageous and scared silly, but doing what is right is more important than giving in to fear.  Christians need to cowboy up and show courage, standing up for the truth.

Pixabay / Bruce

Courage is an act of will. There are people who are vainglorious, but the truth is revealed when danger falls from a tree, they turn their backs and bravely flee. Other times, some people are surprising when they show courage in the face of danger.

What dangers do biblical creationists face? In Western countries, it is mostly fear of ridicule from unbelievers. They should ask themselves if enemies of God are people from whom they want admiration.

I almost joined a church, but it gave me pause when the pastor said that while they believe in recent creation, they don't discuss it much because they don't want to be labeled as one of those churches. That was an inspiration for my article, "Don't Fear the Labels." It also struck me as disingenuous to hide their beliefs because of the fear of man.

God takes a dim view of the cowardly. Indeed, it is at the top of the list in Revelation 21:8.

On the tenth and eleventh annual Question Evolution Day events, many people expressed support but could not be bothered to even share a link and affirm the principles. I believe some were ashamed to be creationists. Are they ashamed of miracles in the Bible, and especially the bodily Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead?

Many Christians, and even pastors, have placed atheistic interpretations of science above the Word of God. They need to learn that evolutionary speculations have a dismal track record for predictions, accuracy — and honesty. The Bible has been shown to be reliable time and again, and biblical creation science has been shown to be accurate.

The following article has five practical truths regarding biblical courage. In some ways, it reads like an advertisement for the Institute for Creation Research, but other creation ministries are also upholding biblical authority. Also, I must say that the author has a burr under his saddle about natural selection. If I understand correctly, however, what he opposes is how Christians accept it as a creative force along the lines of Charles Darwin. In its truest sense, natural selection is an observed process that does culling and removes the sick and weak, but does not create.

When addressing courage, we should concede three facts. First, since we’re not God, we cannot see inside someone’s heart and judge their courage. Second, we honestly cannot predict our own behavior when suddenly faced with a terrifying situation. Even the tough American General George Patton acknowledged this during World War II. In a famous speech he stated, “Some of you men are wondering whether or not you’ll chicken out under fire. Don’t worry about it. I can assure you that you’ll all do your duty.”

Finally, to anyone convinced they will surely stand, they must take heed lest they fall. Peter self-assuredly declared to the Lord Jesus, “Even if all are made to stumble, yet I will not be.” When Jesus contradicted this, Peter “spoke more vehemently, ‘If I have to die with You, I will not deny You!’” What happened to him could happen to us.

To read the entire article, bravely ride over to "Christian Courage is Imperative."