“...to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding of the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2,3
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Early on in his reign King Solomon was given the opportunity to request of God whatever he might like. Given such an opportunity, what would you do? Solomon asked the Lord for wisdom (1 Kgs. 3:3-14). He might have requested anything – wealth, fame, the destruction of all his enemies, long life. But he asked for wisdom.
“And Peter answered him, 'Lord if it is you, command me to come to you on the water.' He said, 'Come.' So Peter got out of the boat...” Matthew 14:28-29
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Living as a Christian requires courage in every situation of our lives. God intends us to stand out like lights in the dark world of sin. He has called us to be holy, and has put His Gospel into our mouths. He has sent His Spirit to live within us, and that Spirit leads us into the hope of glory which makes all things new in our lives. If we’re focusing on the promises of God, living obediently in the power of His Spirit, and bearing witness in all our words and deeds, we’re going to stand out from the rest of the world. And we’ll need real Christian courage, every day, to live like this for the Lord.
“To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak.” Ephesians 6:18-20
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Let’s note three things about this passage. First, Paul understood that he was called to bear witness for Christ. And if Paul was called to that mission, so are we, because he commands all who read his letters to imitate him as he imitates Jesus (1 Cor. 11:1). So, like Paul, we’re called to bear witness to Jesus Christ.
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What do we do when something God has promised appears to conflict with something He is leading us to do? For example, God has promised to give His people a great name, a name that is able to influence others for good and lead them into the blessings of God. But He has also called us to bear witness to Christ, and we’re not very good at that, and the people around us have made it clear they don’t want to hear it.
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Abraham showed great courage in fleeing the famine in Canaan and taking his wife to Egypt. True, it was not an admirable courage – he was bold to lie to the king of Egypt about his relationship with his wife. Lying to kings – especially those who are looked upon as deities – takes courage. But Abraham’s courage was misguided. He feared the king of Egypt and so he lied to him in order to protect his own hide.
“By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to a place that he was to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.” Hebrews 11:8
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Is it possible to grow in Christian courage? I believe it is. Christian courage – the ability to go beyond ourselves in the face of danger or challenges, in order to serve Christ and seek His Kingdom – is a work of God’s Spirit. God’s Spirit works within us to make us willing and able to what pleases the Lord (Phil. 2:13).
