Christian Courage

Deborah Haynie was our special guest teacher on February 22nd. She took her lesson from Robert D. Hales' conference talk "Christian Courage: The Price of Discipleship". Deborah started her lesson with an account of a young college student's experience at an intercollegiate leadership training conference. The students were taken outside where there were several trees marked with "strongly agree", "agree", etc down to "strongly disagree". They were asked a question and told to run to the tree that posted their opinion. One of the questions was about premarital sex. This young man ran to the tree marked "strongly disagree" and found himself to be standing there alone. The other students were pointing and laughing at him, some not believing he was serious. But there he stood, strong in his conviction on the issue. Later on during the conference several students commented to him, with regret in their voices, that they wish they had known what he knew.

In his talk, Robert D. Hales, shows us what a true disciple of Christ is like. A true disciple of Christ sees opportunity in the midst of opposition they way Abinadi bravely stood before King Noah's court and gave his testimony knowing it would be the death of him. A true disciple of Christ seeks guidance from the Spirit to know how to handle each encounter as it arises. Just as Christ responded differently in every situation. He remained silent when confronted by King Herod. To Pilate, he bore a "simple and powerful testimony of His divinity". When He came across the moneychangers defiling the temple, he acted on his responsibility to "preserve that which is sacred". Sometimes before we can receive that guidance from the Spirit, we need to ask for forgiveness ourselves. A true disciple of Christ will avoid being judgemental of others' views. We need to stay on the higher ground of mutual love and respect.

A true disciple of Christ is concerned about the welfare of others more than personal vindication. They are without guile. When we encounter someone who is offensive or clearly in the wrong, we should not feel that we are better than they are but that we know a better way of being. In meekness, humility and love we need to stand up courageously for what is right. As always, we need to listen to the Spirit as we exercise Christian courage.