In the continuing thread of the past few Thursday postings, today I offer my understanding of the what the second of the Four Unused Smooth Stones in my pouch represents for me as one living saved by grace through faith.
The second of my four stones is the Courage stone. For this stone, I like to look to Hebrews 3:6 (NIV) "But Christ is faithful as a son over God's house. And we are his house, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast."
Just what is that Courage stone I "hold on to"?
It is the Courage to face the truth. The truth that I am poor and miserable sinner in need of a savior.
It is the Courage to face the Creator. Having faced the truth, I must repent and face God who I have sinned against (and of course, by grace through faith I am forgiven and when I face the Creator, there is Jesus the Messiah standing in front of me redeeming me).
It is the Courage to face my brother. I pray in the Lord's prayer for the Lord to forgive my trespasses as I forgive those who trespass against me. If I face the truth and face my Creator, I must now face my neighbor, my brother with the courage to both share the good news and to serve them as Jesus the Messiah has taught us.
It is the Courage to face the enemy. I remain a sinner/saint, though saved, I still fall short, but I should not grow complacent in my sin. I should not hide myself under a bushel so that I won't have to confront the temptations of this world. No, I need to be God's instrument, and have the courage to be a light in this dark world. As the passage in Hebrews states, I am His house, I need to hold on to that courage.
Next week will be the Strength stone
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