In concluding His final address to the apostles before His arrest, Jesus told them to be courageous in the face of the hardships that would be coming against them.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Courage is the confidence and conviction to do what one knows to be right, regardless of the consequences. The apostles needed courage to carry out the Lord’s instructions without being deterred by the persecution that awaited them.
As Christians, we also need to have courage today. The Lord has left instructions for us to follow. We are to “observe all that [Christ] commanded” (Matthew 28:20). Furthermore, we are warned that we will become a target by following the Lord’s instructions. Paul said, “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12).
How can we “take courage” (John 16:33) so that we will be able to endure the sufferings that will come for the cause of Christ?
We Must Know What Is Right
There are many people who display courage in standing for beliefs which they hold in error. While we certainly need courage, we must also understand that all the courage in the world will not change what is false to what is true. Therefore, if we are going to have the courage to do what we know to be right, we first need to be sure that we know what is right.
Truth is found in the word of God. When He prayed to the Father, Jesus said, “Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth” (John 17:17). The psalmist wrote, “The sum of Your word is truth” (Psalm 119:160). The first step to taking courage must be to learn and become convinced of the truth of God’s word so that we might be “established in the truth” (2 Peter 1:12). This will not happen for us miraculously or by some accident, but by diligent study of the Scriptures (2 Timothy 2:15).
We Must Know There Is a Reward
Once we are convinced of the truth, we must have a reason for “holding fast [to] the word of life” (Philippians 2:16). The only thing that makes suffering for the truth bearable is the hope of the resurrection to eternal life. Without this hope, Paul said, “We are of all men most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:19). Without this hope, it is not worth it to take a stand for the truth.
But there is hope for life after death. Paul wrote, “But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep” (1 Corinthians 15:20). The resurrection of Christ gives us hope of being raised ourselves. But this hope is not for a resurrection leading to a new life in the same world in which we currently live. We have “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefiled and will not fade away, reserved in heaven” (1 Peter 1:3-4). The promise of heaven shows us that the truth is worth standing for, allowing us to take courage.
We Must Act
It is not enough to know the truth and to be convinced of the promised reward. Having courage means we must act according to what we know to be true. Having courage means we will “live godly in Christ Jesus,” even if it means we “will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). Having courage means we will “keep [our] behavior excellent,” even though others may “slander [us] as evildoers” (1 Peter 2:12). Having courage means we will “do” what Jesus commanded, even it it means that “the world hates” us (John 15:14, 18). Having courage means we will “not run with [the ungodly] into the same excesses of dissipation,” even it if means “they malign” us (1 Peter 4:4). Having courage means we will “preach the word…in season and out of season,” even if those we try to teach “will not endure sound doctrine” (2 Timothy 4:2-3). Having courage means we will “be faithful until death,” even if it means having to endure “tribulation” (Revelation 2:10).
Conclusion
As disciples of Christ, we must take courage so that we might continually please our Lord regardless of the consequences. This means we must learn what is right, recognize and appreciate the reward, and then do what we know to be right.
Remember the assurance that Jesus gave His apostles: “Take courage; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). No matter what trials or tribulations we may have to face, Paul reminded us that “we overwhelmingly conquer through Him who loved us” (Romans 8:37). So take courage. Do what is right no matter what the consequences may be in this life. Jesus overcame the world. We can overcome and gain eternal life through Him.
Loved the article on Take Courage. Such good thoughts put to “paper” for all of us to think about and consider. So encouraging and edifying.
Thanks for your good working mind in expressing what Christians need to know!
Thank you, sir.
Thank you brother for this wonderful word.the lord spoke to me through this word.I will be preaching tomorrow and it has helped me.God bless and keep spreading the lords wonderful word.