I love words. My idea of relaxation is to peruse the dictionary to expand my understanding of a word’s meaning and origins. I find it absolutely fascinating. This morning I was considering a particular word, one that starts with the letter ‘c’. It’s not included in the Bible’s inventory of spiritual gifts, nor is it listed as a fruit of the spirit. But it is a quality that Jesus possessed, and it’s such an important part of his story that I’m surprised it isn’t the subject of more sermons.

What word am I referring to? Courage. Maybe you already guessed it. There’s no question that Jesus had immense courage – many of the events recorded in the Bible illustrate this. But the evidence isn’t just in what he did; courage was an integral part of his identity and purpose.

Imagine if the entire reason for your existence was to be completely consumed for the benefit of others. When I say “consumed”, I’m thinking of the way wood in a roaring fire is consumed. In the process of giving us light, warmth and a means of sustenance, the wood is completely destroyed.

This is the type of courage Jesus embodied. He didn’t just give of himself; he gave himself. We feel pretty good about being “obedient Christians” when we tithe, volunteer at church or fill up a couple of those “Christmas Child” shoeboxes. These things are good, but they don’t usually require courage – at least, not in the western part of the world.

I mention this because context is important. Early Christians were courageous simply for proclaiming their faith in Jesus, and many lost their lives for it. In places like China, India and Pakistan today, the situation hasn’t changed much. But what does courage look like in the post-modern, post-Christian west? Unravelling the answer requires a humble willingness to look at ourselves and the world with fresh eyes.

Here are examples of things many western Christians consider courageous that I believe actually work against God’s purposes:

• Lamenting the absence of Christian teaching in our schools; trying to prevent non-Christian influences from gaining ground
• Lobbying to keep the Ten Commandments or the Bible in public institutions
• Attacking lifestyles that offend our beliefs, such as common-law or same-sex relationships

Perhaps you’re thinking, “what could possibly be wrong with standing up for our beliefs?” After all, in Jude 3, we’re exhorted to “contend for the faith”. Contending for the faith is good, but that’s not what Jude was talking about. We live in a culture that is built on the foundation of Christian values and beliefs. If anything, being a Christian here is too easy. Jude was writing to Christians trying to live out their faith in a dangerous, hostile setting.

What is our main purpose as Christians? Isn’t it to spread the good news that “through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set (us) free from the law of sin and death”? (Romans 8:2) In our efforts to evangelize, we quote Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God”. But we leave Jesus hanging on the cross if we don’t include the second half of the verse, “and are justified freely by his grace”. This is the good news!!

If we truly want to reach the world for Christ, we’re employing a strategy that makes little sense. Part of the problem is the strategy’s effect on how we’re perceived. How do non-Christians view us? Like it or not, we’re seen as judgemental, hypocritical and intolerant. Instead of portraying a God of love, mercy and grace, we give the impression that Christianity is a members-only club with strict rules that must be adhered to and upheld.

The underlying issue is one of priorities. It may be partly because of our God-given ease and prosperity that we’ve lost sight of what’s important. Instead of focusing on loving people into the family of God, we’ve become entangled in energy- and resource-draining things like preventing same-sex couples from marrying. Am I defending same-sex marriage? Not necessarily, but I am defending the right of people who don’t share my beliefs to live according to their convictions, whether or not I agree with them.

But back to my original question: What does it mean to be a courageous Christian today in the west? I believe it’s less about defending our “territory”, and more about giving it away. God doesn’t need to be defended. He doesn’t need more big buildings – the days of “build it, and they will come” are over. The present generation might be attracted for a while if we offer them a church experience that mimics the cutting-edge technology they experience elsewhere, but it won’t keep them, because the transformational power of the Gospel needs healthy soil to flourish and spread – not just healthy soil on an individual level, but healthy soil in Christ’s body, the church. What are the characteristics of healthy soil? Things like authenticity, vulnerability, humility, and an atmosphere where being real, however messy it gets, is more important than looking like we have it all together. This takes courage – the Jesus kind of courage.

The key to understanding Jesus’ courage is this: It is courage with a goal, namely reconciling the world to himself. He knew that what we all really need is to feel loved, accepted and valued, no matter what. He courageously embraced people on the margins – people, might I add, like you and me. His courage was never defensive, never “us against them” – except in his dealings with the religious authorities, who he characterized as blocking people’s access to God. Jesus’ courage, which we ought to pray for more of, is about revealing the incredible heart of love that God has for every human being.

Are we revealing God’s heart, or blocking access to him?

cour·age (kûrˈĭj, kŭrˈ-) noun

The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.

Origin: Middle English corage, from Old French, from Vulgar Latin corāticum, from Latin cor, heart.