“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.””
Revelation 21:7-8 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/rev.21.7-8.NKJV
Wait a minute.
Cowardly?
What really does God mean by cowardly? I need to think deeply about this one. Can cowardly include trying to save feelings over the Word of God?
In our world today, we are all about saving feelings. Whatever goes, goes. Whatever makes you feel good is fine with me. It’s ok to tell a little white lie to save someone’s feelings. It’s all good. After all, we don’t want someone to blow up on us, do we? Heck, if labeled really push God’s Word, we might be labeled as being judgmental! Judgmental? But God’s definition of right versus wrong is not mine. I need to get that fact drilled into its printhead. Wait a minute. I could spawn an argument. I better bite my lip. Could this be seen as cowardly? If so, I am guilty of another sin and I need to put on my grown-up, big man big-man pants and improve my approaches to what God says in His Word. God is quite black and white in His Word. He is clear on what is right or wrong. His Holiness cannot be pawned off as “He didn’t mean it that way” or “God needs to get with the times.” God never changes. His Word is complete and He doesn’t need to add any more. It’s we who need to change, not Him. He’s perfect, we are not. His thoughts are higher than mine. If I’m right based on His clear Word, He’s right. If I’m wrong, He’s still right. If we are unsure, I’m always wrong and He’s always right. Perhaps that’s why He breathed the Bible. It was so I can follow Him and use His Word as my armor against all the backlash. He’s given me His rule book that has lasted thousand(s) of years and continues to be the most sought-after book for a reason.
Jesus was no coward. Taking on the Sin of all is as brave as one can get. I must follow His lead as He is the perfect role model. Jesus did say if they hate Him, they will hate me too. So, a brave person can be hated? Well, I guess if I must choose, I will love Him, obey Him, follow Him and let everyone else hate me. That was easy.
Yes, today I reflect on cowardly. No more wishy-washy. If God clearly says it’s wrong, it’s wrong. I suppose that the road to being glorified has potholes along the way. I will just put on better shock absorbers through Christ. Oh, and strap that seat belt on a little tighter. It’s going to be a bumpy ride to get to the finish line.
by Kent Brosh a Kawaiaha’o Blog Contributor
Alberta, Canada
