The Virtue Series: Courage Part 2.

The Virtue Series: Courage Part 2.

So far in this series called the Virtues, we have first explored as an overview what the virtues are and how they are important to our lives. Then we have explored the virtues of Wisdom and Justice over 4 weeks. If you have missed these posts, why not have a look.

Last week we began our exploration of the virtue of Courage. Let us continue the journey of exploration of this important virtue for our spiritual lives. 

Enduring suffering for the sake of the Cross is an important part of the Christian way of life.  It is by the virtue of Courage that we face and endure suffering. as well as endurance. Luke 21:10-19 is an enlightening passage, as it provides us with further understanding about endurance and how it helps us gain our lives.

SCRIPTURE AND COURAGE.

The following Scripture passages highlight the purpose of suffering and its corresponding need for bravery.

·                     2 Corinthians 4:16-18:  The need to look beyond what is seen to what is unseen and endure the afflictions that prepare us for eternal glory.

·                     Colossians 1:24: Suffering is redemptive when we offer it for other people.

·                     1 Peter 2: 21: The call to suffer is linked because Jesus suffered and we, as Christians are his disciples and meant to follow Him.

·                     1 Peter 4:12-13: Suffering proves us worthy of Christ and Heaven.

It is vital to realise that courage is the virtue needed to endure the suffering required of us.  If we do not have courage, we will simply shrink away from the suffering offered us for the sake of our salvation. I have noted in my own life that should I shrink away from it, Christ seems to provide another form of the same suffering, until I am ready.  By then, I only wish I had accepted willingly the initial suffering required of me.


The following Scripture passages teaches us about the role of courage in our pursuit of holiness.  All of these scripture passages call us to renounce our earthly lives and pursuits in order to gain eternal life.  The virtue of Courage preserves us from loving this life so much that we lose our eternal souls.  Courage enables us to face the ugliness of our sins and selfishness in order to overcome it for our eternal benefit. 

·                     Matthew 6:14-15: Forgiveness is difficult when the wrong is severe and yet, with the virtue of courage, we are able to forgive and seek forgiveness, since we are called to forgive each other in order for Our Heavenly Father to forgive us.

·                     Mark 9:35: We must be a servant and the last of all if we wish to be great in the eyes of God.  Humility requires courage.

·                     Luke 9:23-26: We must deny ourselves and take up our crosses daily.  We must lose our earthly lives in order to save our eternal souls.  We need courage to trust in God's promise of eternal life.

WHY IS COURAGE SO IMPORTANT.

 Whilst courage (fortitude) will help us conquer difficult situations in our lives, it also has a fundamental role in our spiritual lives. We need the virtue of Courage to persevere in our commitment to Christ despite the daily challenges and fears that confront us.  We are able to overcome the 3 formidable adversaries- Satan, our fallen nature and worldly temptations only through God's grace, coupled with our courageous commitment to Christ.

During this week, as we face another week of Lent, we might like to think about how we might practically put the virtue of courage to work in our lives in the light of these scripture passages.  We might consider

·                     how we can forgive.

·                     how we can serve.

·                     how we can deny ourselves.

May God grant you the virtue of courage in abundance during this Lent.