Moral Courage Required

Moral Courage is Required Devotional Reading May 30, 2023

“If you do not stand for something then you will fall for anything.” Yes, that sounds reasonable but what qualifies “something”? The statement is a reference to our moral character which is influenced by learned behaviors, life experience, people, theories, and opinions. Still, most importantly the concepts of right and wrong, the standards of truth and error, and the value system that we embrace define our moral character.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” Declaration of Independence, Excerpt, July 4, 1776

Everyone’s moral character varies because human-made standards are imperfect. The right to pursue happiness, which is inherent to every individual, differs from person to person. Although it may not make rational sense, some individuals claim that having extramarital affairs or remaining in an unhealthy relationship brings them happiness. The downside of pursuing happiness is that our hearts are never satisfied!

Interestingly, when asked what would bring happiness to their lives, most people answered that having more money would provide the ultimate level of happiness. “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon [material wealth]” (Matthew 6:24).

Humanity’s overall moral character has bottomed out. And sadly, we keep falling deeper into the abyss of corruption. Our desire for happiness and the actions that we are willing to do for the pursuit of happiness are shocking. Unfortunately, some have compromised their values and engaged in illegal activities such as dealing drugs, scams, hacking, embezzlement, and other crimes in the pursuit of happiness.

We may not be a criminal from a legal perspective, but there is a more serious issue if we are wilfully sinning against the Most-High God. Although Jesus promised us joy and peace, and He desires that we have happy and healthy lives, we were never told to pursue our definitions of individual happiness.

“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). Our crime of disobedience originates from the innate condition of a deceitful heart [read Jeremiah 17:9].

Reflection: “What am I willing to do to satisfy my desire for happiness?”

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” —Genesis 3:1, NIV

The worldview of living according to our desires and feelings has also pervaded the Christian community. We think, “Did God really say? ” or we self-interpret the Scriptures with compromising minds. Our inner conflict gradually becomes overwhelming. We desire eternal life but not at the price that God’s righteous standards require—total obedience. So, we live to pursue our definition of happiness.

Take Up Your Cross and Follow Jesus—”Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” —Matthew 16:24-26

It takes Moral Courage to Surrender Our Will! It takes Moral Courage to Follow Jesus! It takes Moral Courage to Overcome and Receive the Reward of Eternal Life!

Moral Courage: Possessing virtue [high righteous standards] and having the desire to act according to God’s Truth by striving to pursue a life of Righteousness by Faith which requires standing for what is right against all opposition and every adversity.

Moral Courage is Required

To Love God and Put Him First
To Love God, Others, and Yourself
To Surrender to God’s Will
To Remain Faithful and Obedient
To Trust God in Adversity
To Hear and Recognize God’s Voice
To Pray for the Holy Spirit’s Guidance
To Receive Wisdom and Understanding
To Stay in His Presence
To Pray Continuously
To Study the Holy Scriptures Every Day
To Remain Loyal to God
To Renounce Sin and its Pleasures
To Give Up Worldviews
To Leave Family and Friends
To Face the Opposition of Spiritual Warfare
To Ask for the Presence and Power of the Holy Spirit
To be Victorious Against All Odds
To Prepare Daily for that Great Day

Moral Courage is Required to Persevere in the Spiritual Journey

Scripture: “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” —Revelation 2:10 [last part]. “He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.” —Revelation 3:5

Prayer: God, we pray for the strength to possess the moral courage to serve You until our last breath. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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