We Have Courage

4 Therefore, having this ministry by the mercy of God, we do not lose heart. 2 But we have renounced disgraceful, underhanded ways. We refuse to practice cunning or to tamper with God’s word, but by the open statement of the truth we would commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God. 3 And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. 4 In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. 5 For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:1–6

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We Have Courage
The Greek word for "take heart," also means "have courage" or "be strong." Thus our hearts are strong and we have courage in the face of all the disasters in the world and in the face of our sin. The ministry of reconciliation has come and forgiveness of sins has been won for us by the shedding of Jesus' blood. This courage comes from the unaltered and true Word of God that resides in our midst. The Spirit plants faith in our hearts that we might cling to this Jesus relentlessly. White knuckled we grab ahold of the One we know can change everything and save us. In the face of fear and fright, in the face of opposition and persecution, and in the face of our own sin and failings, we have courage and faith is bold to kneel at the feet of Jesus and to remind him of his promises to us. He transforms us from darkness to light. We are plucked out of death and given life eternal in him.