Chuckle:
Counterfeiters (kown'-ter-fit'-ers): Workers who put together
kitchen cabinets
Quote:
"Courage is not simply one of the
virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point, which means at the
point of highest reality." --C.S. Lewis
Quoted Cyril Connolly
COURAGEOUS
CHRISTIANS
"Be on guard. Stand true to what you believe. Be
courageous. Be strong. And everything you do must be done with
love" (1 Corinthians
16:13 NLT).
The
Dictionary defines courage as "being
able to control one's fear and so to face danger, pain, or trouble willingly;
bravery." Here, Paul encourages the Corinthians to be alert and on
guard against spiritual adversaries and the danger they represent. He reminds
them to stand firm in their faith and to be courageous and strong and to show
kindness and love in all their interpersonal relationships. These words of
encouragement are badly needed by Christians today.
It seems
that every day brings another threat to our peace of mind and sense of
well-being. If it isn't international terror, it's domestic crime in the form of
identity theft, car-jacking, home invasions, and assorted other dangers that
threaten us. Add to these the fear associated with the onset of a serious
life-threatening illness and facing the reality of our own mortality. These and
other threats to our peace and happiness give us plenty of reasons to be
fearful, and courage is required in dealing with them.
As
Christians, another great fear can come from the growing opposition to
Christianity and the erosion of religious freedoms both here in our beloved
country as well as abroad. In our passage, the apostle Paul instructs us to be a
people of great courage and strength. The ideal for Christians, when it comes to
courage, includes a quality of life based on our faith in the ever-present
Spirit of Jesus Christ. Here there is no "grin and bear it" helpless attitude,
but a more natural and proactive one which can see opportunity in every
challenge and victory in every instance of opposition or persecution.
Courage is
not only a duty for Christians but also a constant possibility because we have
placed our lives in the almighty hands of God. It makes itself evident through
patient endurance, moral consistency, infectious optimism and spiritual
fidelity. "If God is for us, who
can be against us?" (Romans 8:32 NIV).
Love, Jerry &
Dotse
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home