When a dictator rules, one of three things will happen to the courageous:

  1. The courageous will stand up to the dictator and be mowed down.
  2. The courageous will stand up to the dictator and escape/survive and will be hated and feared by the dictator.
  3. The courageous will do nothing and will slowly become cowards.

Those are the only options I can think of. That’s why I conclude that…

 

dictators breed cowards

 

It’s true in governments. It’s true in companies. It’s true in churches.

If our churches have difficulty developing courageous leadership, this just might be the cause.

Cowardly lions

If Christianity were an animal, I think it would be a lion. Yet we often roar ferociously when there is no danger and cower at the crucial moment.

Here are some questions to ask yourself:

  • Do I have the courage to confront sin lovingly but directly?
  • When’s the last time I did it?
  • Do I have the courage to defend sound doctrine among my friends?
  • Do I have the courage to preach Christ alone to a pluralist?
  • Do I have the courage to tell my friends the truth about themselves?
  • Do I have the courage to ask my friends to tell me the truth about myself?
  • Do I have the courage to do what I believe is right without running it by key people to make sure it is acceptable in my “camp” first?
  • Do I have the courage to stand up to bullies even when they are rich or powerful?

May God grant us all courage to do right and the humility to be accountable in substantive, meaningful ways.

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About Jason Harris

Dr Jason Harris is a writer, pastor, and academic. He has authored multiple books, articles, and papers including his book Theological Meditations on the Gospel. Jason has a PhD from James Cook University as well as degrees in theology, music, accounting, and research. Jason has lived in Cairns, Australia since 2007 and serves as pastor at CrossPoint Church. You can contact Jason at jason@jasonharris.com.au.

2 Comments

  1. RoZeS 4 August, 2009 at 5:22 pm - Reply

    The second part of your post is good.
    “Do I have the courage to do what I believe is right without running it by key people to make sure it is acceptable in my “camp” first?”
    God gives us key people in our lives for this very purpose. They are there to advise us and help us do what is right. What may be seen as assuring ‘acceptability’ with those people could in fact just be taking the opportunity to assure this is what God really wants us to do. Approaching them and taking their advise often requires greater courage then not approaching them at all. And if our key people are only interested in making sure we fit in the camp regardless of right or wrong, then they’re not the right key people to have. We should think about getting some new ones…

  2. Jason Harris 4 August, 2009 at 5:27 pm - Reply

    Absolutely Kez. I agree. Wise people get a lot of counsel. The question was aimed at that particular motive, not for running something by people in general.

    Thanks for pointing that out.

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