Courage

There are a few passages in the Bible which list the “really bad” sins. Of course, in a very real sense, no sin is worse than another: all sins which aren't atoned for by Jesus will keep us from eternal life. But for some reason, in Revelation 21:8, we're given a list of characteristics of those who are sentenced to eternity in the Lake of Fire (otherwise known as hell). We're told that the damned are guilty of what we might expect: murder, witchcraft, sexual morality, idolatry and lying. But one item in particular caught my attention: cowardliness. Cowardliness? Sure, being a coward is nothing to be proud of but does it really belong in the same class as murder, witchcraft and adultery? Murderers are destined for the lake of fire – but so are those who where afraid to stop murders?? There must be a mistake here.

But no, that’s what God says.

So what could He mean? Could He mean what He says? That those of us who are afraid to do what He tells us to will not be spending eternity with Him? That if we fear the consequences of doing what He tells us more than we fear Him there is no place for us in His Kingdom?

This reminds me of Jesus saying that those who love Him will do what He commands (John 14:23). Many of us don't like to think of Jesus as anything but all smiles and hugs. But it would seem to me that it is the same Jesus speaking in both the Gospel of John and in Revelations. Saying we love Jesus but refusing to do what He says for whatever reason (cowardliness being only one) is not actually loving Jesus. And that doesn't end well.