A Forgotten Virtue

Why is it that we admire men like Achilles, Odysseus, and Leonidus? Why do we wish to be like Robin-Hood or King Arthur? What is it about Joshua, King David, and the apostle Paul that so endears them to us? I cannot speak for all but one thing that I find attractive about all of these characters is this: courage.

Courage is such an admirable trait and yet it is not something that we talk about anymore; it seems to be a kind of forgotten virtue.

Who among us does not know that our duty is to spread the gospel of Christ (cf. Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15, 16)? What Christian does not admit the duty of living a holy lifestyle (cf. 1 Peter 1:14-16)? Why is it then that we fail to do these things? Is it perhaps that our lifestyle has bred a generation of spiritual cowards?

The church NEEDS courageous men and women.

It was courage that conquered Canaan. It was courage that withstood King Nebuchadnezzar, and it was courage that answered Festus. It was courage that brought the gospel to Antioch, Philippi, Corinth, and Rome. Courage brought true Christianity out of the darkness of the Middle Ages and into the light of the Reformation. But where is courage now? Where are the brave men whose voices fought for truth and opposed error? Where are the men whose hearts were greater than their stature? Where are the men who possess the fortitude to do what is right, come what may? Where are the men whose soldierly actions advanced the cause of Christ so many years ago? Where are those who will answer the battle cry today? "Once more into the breech dear friends, once more!" "Rouse, then soldiers! Rally 'round the banner! Ready, steady, pass the word along; Onward, forward, shout aloud 'Hosanna!' Christ is Captain of the mighty throng!" "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong!" (1 Corinthians 15:13).

We have much land yet to be conquered, dear friends. Will we heed the exhortation of Almighty God, the LORD of Hosts?

"I will be with thee: I will not fail thee, nor forsake thee...Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law...turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest" (Joshua 1:5b-7).