LLLV18 10-22-2018 The Folly of Counterfeit Courage
The word “courage” is used 22 times in the translation I primarily use. Courage is first used in the book of Numbers as part of the instructions given by Moses to the men commissioned to spy on the land of Canaan. Of the ten men chosen only two of them dared to see beyond the problems to the enormous benefit of invading and subduing the land promised to them by God. Life is still pretty much the same.
Many write about the necessity of courage needed to live above the average. One man who practiced outrageous courage was the Corsican, Napoleon Bonaparte, who stated:
“Courage cannot be counterfeited. It is one virtue that escapes hypocrisy.”
Napoleon knew that only facing great odds against success reveals the courageous from the coward.
Of the 22 times, courage is used in the Bible, only two are used in the New Testament. The first is here:
Mark 15:43 “Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”
The right thing to do was to claim the Body of Christ Crucified. Joseph of Arimathea, enjoyed high political office and risked ostracism from his peers, and perhaps death from Pilates sword, yet had the courage necessary to accomplish the mission. The fear of the frown of those whom we admire, especially in the religious realm, can incite fear very similar to intense battle.
The other place in the N.T. lets us see the value of having the courage to go to the aid of someone of faith which is facing severe consequences due to belief. Note how Paul, staring death in the face, was encouraged by the sight of caring brethren:
Acts 28:15 “And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.”
Are you able to “take courage” at just the sight of people who dare to care?
How about this: Are you the person who, when people see you, they “take courage?”
Larry Lilly
Top Notch IT work. Oral Deckard
The word “courage” is used 22 times in the translation I primarily use. Courage is first used in the book of Numbers as part of the instructions given by Moses to the men commissioned to spy on the land of Canaan. Of the ten men chosen only two of them dared to see beyond the problems to the enormous benefit of invading and subduing the land promised to them by God. Life is still pretty much the same.
Many write about the necessity of courage needed to live above the average. One man who practiced outrageous courage was the Corsican, Napoleon Bonaparte, who stated:
“Courage cannot be counterfeited. It is one virtue that escapes hypocrisy.”
Napoleon knew that only facing great odds against success reveals the courageous from the coward.
Of the 22 times, courage is used in the Bible, only two are used in the New Testament. The first is here:
Mark 15:43 “Joseph of Arimathea, a prominent council member, who was himself waiting for the kingdom of God, coming and taking courage, went in to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.”
The right thing to do was to claim the Body of Christ Crucified. Joseph of Arimathea, enjoyed high political office and risked ostracism from his peers, and perhaps death from Pilates sword, yet had the courage necessary to accomplish the mission. The fear of the frown of those whom we admire, especially in the religious realm, can incite fear very similar to intense battle.
The other place in the N.T. lets us see the value of having the courage to go to the aid of someone of faith which is facing severe consequences due to belief. Note how Paul, staring death in the face, was encouraged by the sight of caring brethren:
Acts 28:15 “And from there, when the brethren heard about us, they came to meet us as far as Appii Forum and Three Inns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage.”
Are you able to “take courage” at just the sight of people who dare to care?
How about this: Are you the person who, when people see you, they “take courage?”
Larry Lilly
Top Notch IT work. Oral Deckard
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