By Stu Schaefer
“Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point.” – C. S. Lewis
“Fear is a reaction, Courage is a decision.” – Sir Winston Churchill
How much different were the prophets of the Old Testament and the original Disciples of Jesus from you and me? What was it that made them stand out? It's rumored that some dressed in unusual ways. Was it their fashion sense? It is also rumored that they had a way with words. So maybe it was their education and the flashy way they wrote and spoke.
They often got some folks upset. In fact, it seems that many folks were so upset with what they were saying that they brought the authorities against them. Some were even imprisoned, some were given beatings to shut them up, and some were even executed to shut them up. What kind of message were they saying that caused that kind of reaction!?! Have you ever been talking or texting with someone and had them go off on you? Have you ever received threats or worse violence because of what you have said?
This was a FREQUENT response to the prophets of the old testament and the original disciples of Jesus. Interesting that we revere these folks, and yet we don’t emulate them. By that I mean that most of us try NOT to offend folks, and to keep things civil.
Have we been cowed into silence? Have we been made afraid of what others will say? Can we really live in harmony with the fullness of Christ and not offend folks these days? What have we compromised? What do you suppose Jesus would have us do?
Should we trust in God and never mind the outcomes? Isn’t that just a bit too radical? What if I lose my “friends”? What if I lose my job? What if I lose my family? Does Jesus call us to an easy life, of comfort and companionship with the folks around us? Does He promise us protection and a life without pain? Does He say we can deny Him before others (either by word or deed) and it's no big thing?
Hopefully there are a few bible verses going off in your head right now that make you think otherwise? Which ones come to mind? I have a few, but I don’t wanna spoil this moment. If nothing comes to mind, then perhaps you might want to dig into the Bible and see what Jesus taught about what it means to REALLY follow Him.
- Things about taking up your cross (as in execution stake) and follow him.
- Or how about in this life you will have [fill in the blank] . . . but I have overcome.
- And the one I already mentioned… if you deny Him before others… what does He say He will do?
These are powerful things to understand, because if we are to follow Jesus in this day and age, I think we will need to pray and receive courage and the inner strength to say what He says, regardless of what we think will happen next.
The most critical need of the church at this moment is Men & Women, bold men & women, free men and women. The church must seek, in prayer and much humility, the coming again of men and women made of the stuff of which the prophets and martyrs are made of.
For such a time as this, we need men and women to fan into flame the spark that that Jesus has set inside us. We need to submit to Christ in such a total way, that when we rise up off our knees that the world no longer sees us, but sees Him!
Ephesians 5 (CJB) Complete Jewish Bible:
8 For you used to be darkness; but now, united with the Lord, you are light. Live like children of light, 9 for the fruit of the light is in every kind of goodness, rightness and truth — 10 try to determine what will please the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the deeds produced by darkness, but instead expose them, 12 for it is shameful even to speak of the things these people do in secret. 13 But everything exposed to the light is revealed clearly for what it is, 14 since anything revealed is a light. This is why it says,
“Get up, sleeper! Arise from the dead,
and the Messiah will shine on you!”
15 Therefore, pay careful attention to how you conduct your life — live wisely, not unwisely. 16 Use your time well, for these are evil days. 17 So don’t be foolish, but try to understand what the will of the Lord is.
18 Don’t get drunk with wine, because it makes you lose control. Instead, keep on being filled with the Spirit — 19 sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs to each other; sing to the Lord and make music in your heart to him; 20 always give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah.