https://youtu.be/e3_bFr9tKMY

The Red Badge of Courage

The Red Badge of Courage is a war novel by American author Stephen Crane (1871–1900). Taking place during the American Civil War, the story is about a young private of the Union Army, Henry Fleming, who flees from the field of battle. Overcome with shame, he longs for a wound, a “red badge of courage,” to counteract his cowardice. When his regiment once again faces the enemy, Henry acts as standard-bearer, who carries a flag.

Acts 9:26-31

Paul spoke boldly in the name of Jesus and it was a testimony to the other disciples that he was really a born again believer in Jesus Christ.

This word “bold” is translated in the Greek- “all out spokenness, frankness, bluntness, publicity; to be frank in utterance, or confident in demeanor, confidence-freely-openly-plainly

This kind of boldness requires a knowledge of God’s and His Word.

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.” Hosea 4:6 NKJV

“Where there is no vision [no redemptive revelation of God], the people perish; but he who keeps the law [of God, which includes that of man]–blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.” Proverbs 29:18 AMPC

Acts 20:26-27 New King James Version (NKJV)

26 Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent[a] of the blood of all men. 27 For I have not [b]shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.

Paul’s boldness to preach the whole council of God cost him his life- his red badge of courage

John told King Herod his sin and it cost him his head

All apostles were martyred accept John who was exiled to Patmos

Fear God- show courage with men

Everyone wants to give Grace, but no truth

Everyone wants to be the Light and but not the salt

The HS spoke this to me: “IF in your compassion you leave someone in the same wretched state of sin you found them in without showing them a way out; your compassion is in vain.”

His compassion was shown on the cross when HE provided a way for us to be free from our sin

Romans 12:9 New King James Version (NKJV)

9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.

Love suffers long, is kind, doesn’t parade itself, is not arrogant or rude, does not seek its own, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil, does not rejoice in iniquity (sin), but rejoices in the truth.

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.”

Luke 9:26 NKJV

““Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV

You cannot separate Jesus from His Word

““I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

Revelation 3:8 NKJV

“I will worship toward Your holy temple, And praise Your name For Your lovingkindness and Your truth; For You have magnified Your word above all Your name.”

Psalms 138:2 NKJV

How do we have boldness in the face of adversity?

Fear God, not man

“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28 NKJV

John 12:42-43 New King James Version (NKJV)

42 Nevertheless even among the rulers many believed in Him, but because of the Pharisees they did not confess Him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue; 43 for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God.

Here’s a couple commentaries:

The praise of men – The approval of human beings. It does not appear that they had a living,