Courageous Christians

For the most part, the media portrays Christians as less-than-godly individuals. They are depicted as weak, hypocritical, nincompoops or as moral midgets. Occasionally, Christians are portrayed as bigots or as cowards who flee in the face of adversity. However, the Bible portrays Christians differently. Though it does tell us about those Christians such as Diotrephes, Demas, Alexander, and others, who did not live up to the high calling of Christ, it also reveals the courage of those who, in the face of adversity, maintained their integrity.

One such instance involves the apostles who were in Jerusalem after Christ’s ascension back into heaven. Peter and John had healed a lame man and were preaching to the gathered crowd about Jesus. Jewish leaders who heard their words were greatly disturbed and had them arrested. However, these leaders realized the apostles had really done nothing wrong and the people were supporting them. Trying to hinder their preaching, the Jewish leaders threatened them with punishment if they continued. The apostles were resolute in their task, however, and continued to preach Jesus. Again they were arrested and brought before the Jewish leaders. The Bible records their conversation. "‘Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!’ But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: ‘We ought to obey God rather than men. The God of our fathers raised up Jesus whom you murdered by hanging on a tree. Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.’" (Acts 5:28-31 NKJV). Does this sound like the words of men who were cowards, men who lacked integrity, or men who were moral midgets? The Bible records that, before they were released again, they were beaten, yet they rejoiced that they were counted worthy to suffer for the cause of Christ. Cowards? I don’t think so.

Another instance involves the apostle Paul. He was falsely accused of insurrection by the Jews and taken before the Roman government. During one of times when he defended himself and Christianity, he stood before King Agrippa. II. To fully appreciate the courage of Paul, we must consider the history of King Agrippa’s family. His great-grandfather, Herod the Great, was the king who ordered the death of all infant boys in Bethlehem and surrounding districts in hopes of killing the baby Jesus (Matthew 2:16-18). Agrippa’s great-uncle Herod Antipas was the king who had John the Baptist imprisoned and beheaded (Matthew 14:1-12). Agrippa’s father, Agrippa I, was the king who put James the son of Zebedee to death with a sword (Acts 12:1-2). Now Paul stood before another ruler from this family which so obviously hated anything which had to do with Christianity. Did he cower in fear? Did he renounce Christ? Never! In fact, the arguments Paul made for the cause of Christ were so convincing that Agrippa said to the apostle, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian." (Acts 26:28).

It is understood that some who profess Christianity live no different than the atheist, however that is not the norm. The true Christian lives a life of integrity and often is called upon to exhibit a moral courage that is lacking in the world. It takes courage to refer to homosexuality as sinful behavior in a politically correct world. It takes courage to call abortion the murder of an innocent child in the face of modern liberality. It takes courage to stand before others and declare sin as morally wrong in a society leaning toward the individual interpretation of morals. We live in a society where seldom are Christian’s put into a life or death situation due to their believes, but I am convinced that – if such were the case – true Christians would exhibit the same courage as the apostles.