If You Lack It You Need It

Peter tells us to add to our faith virtue or courage (Second Peter 1: 5). The lack of courage has contributed to the downfall of many. Demas fell in the weakness of love for this world. When members of the church, whether young or old, compromise and surrender their faith and convictions in order to be accepted by the people of the world, they reveal a lack of the very quality Peter admonishes us to add.

Joshua showed courage when he withstood the ten faithless spies but rather said Israel could take the land of Canaan. He demonstrated it again when he said, "As for me and my house, we will serve Jehovah."

Paul expressed virtue when he commented, "I am ready not only to be bound, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." There is a difference in being willing to die for a cause if necessary and killing oneself expecting death to bring rewards (like the militant Muslims). Christians must have courage to survive and even then they may not.